Cops lodge FIR over ‘communal’ slogans

HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE HAD ATTENDED THE PROTEST ORGANISED BY BHARAT JODO AANDOLAN ON SUNDAY

NEW DELHI: A video showing communal slogans being raised during a protest at Jantar Mantar here is being widely circulated on social media, following which the Delhi Police registered a case in connection with the matter on Monday, officials said.

Hundreds of people had attended the protest organised by Bharat Jodo Aandolan at Jantar Mantar on Sunday.

Shipra Srivastava, media in-charge of Bharat Jodo Aandolan, said the protest was held under the leadership of advocate and former Bharatiya Janata Party spokesperson Ashwini Upadhyay. However, she denied any links to those who raised communal slogans.

“The protest was held against colonial laws and demanding to abolish 222 British laws. We have seen the video, but have no idea who they are.

“The police should take strict action against the persons who raised the slogans,” Srivastava said.

Upadhyay too denied any involvement in the communal slogan shouting incident.

“I have submitted a complaint to the Delhi Police to examine the video which went viral. If the video is authentic, then strict action should be taken against the persons who were involved in it,” he said.

“I have no idea who they are. I have never seen them, never met them and neither called them there.

“Till the time I was there, they were not seen there. If the video is fake, then a propaganda is being circulated to defame Bharart Jodo Andolan,” Upadhyay said.

The video shows a group of people shouting inflammatory slogans and threatening Muslims during the protest at Jantar Mantar.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (New Delhi) Deepak Yadav said, “We have received a video and we are examining it. A case has been registered under relevant sections of the law and an investigation is in progress.”