Posters against BJP come up in Babri Mandi

Despite the district and police administration struggling to restore peace in Babri Mandi here, tensions again escalated on Sunday after posters labelling BJP Yuva Morcha leader, Vinay Varshney as a rioter appeared in the city. Some posters against Aligarh mayor Shakuntala Bharti were also seen. On receiving information about the posters late on Sunday night, the police got active.

In this regard, mayor Shakuntala Bharti said, “Ours is a democratic country and all people have the right to voice their concern. I only demand that the accused be arrested. I have a responsibility towards maintaining peace in the city so I want stern action against those who engineered the communal flare-up. I appeal to the families of the accused that they should not cover up the mistakes of their children and try to reform them.”

Meanwhile, BJP Yuva Morcha secretary, Vinay Varshney told HT that if raising one’s voice to “save the honour of women was rioting” then he had no issues with being called a rioter.

However, station officer, Sasni Gate, Vinod Kumar denied receiving news of any such posters. “The police have not received any information about such posters but if they have been displayed, we will take them down,” he said.

It may be recalled that on July 20, a married Hindu woman was allegedly eve-teased by some Muslim youths, who also assaulted her husband. The incident had led to a clash between the two communities. In the aftermath of the communal flare-up, the Hindus residing in the locality had displayed ‘for sale’ boards outside their properties and triggered panic among authorities, who feared a Kairana-like situation. Reacting sharply to that, Muslims also announced the sale of their shops and houses.

Despite this, the administration succeeded in getting the market reopened. Cops also arrested the third accused of the eve teasing incident, Amir, resident of Sarai Kale Khan. Two other accused, Shadab and Nadim have already been sent to jail.

Now, police is on the lookout of another accused, Bhura. However, others like Danish, Haji Suhail, Rashid, Tenu, Ismail and Chote – accused of stone pelting, assault and attempt to murder – have still not been apprehended.

Also, despite the market having been reopened, people are not visiting the area out of fear. There are no customers and even pedestrians are avoiding crossing Babri Mandi, informed shopkeepers.

However, city magistrate, Pankaj Verma told HT that the situation in the mandi was “normal” and police were keeping a close watch on the developments there. “Administration will hold meetings with people to remove suspicions in their mind. They will also be told about the fallouts of rioting,” he said.

Meanwhile, BJP MP Satish Gautam said that he would raise this matter in the parliament and was planning to launch a massive agitation after meeting the state president of the party.