Swami Agnivesh beaten up in Jharkhand; 20 detained
I am against any sort of violence. I am known as a peace-loving person. I don’t know why I was attacked
Swami Agnivesh, social activist
ranchi — Social activist Swami Agnivesh was taken to hospital with injuries on Tuesday after suspected Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) activists thrashed him at Pakur in Jharkhand while shouting “Jai Shri Ram” slogans.
Police said the 78-year-old saffron-robed activist was pounced upon as he stepped out of his hotel to get into a car to take part in the 195th Damin Mahotsav at Littpara. “Go back Agnivesh, go back Agnivesh! You have to recite Vande Matram if you have to stay in India,” were the other slogans shouted by the BJYM workers. The BJYM workers alleged that Agnivesh had come to instigate the tribal people at the behest of Christian missionaries.
“I am against any sort of violence. I am known as a peace-loving person. I don’t know why I was attacked,” a visibly shaken Agnivesh told NDTV. Agnivesh was flanked by tribals who were holding bows and arrows when the mob attacked him.
Even as he kept asking what they wanted, the attackers thrashed him. Agnivesh fell on the ground but the beating continued. His aides did their best to save him. “They punched, kicked and dragged me on the ground. They also used cuss words,” he said later. “They abused my mother, my sister.”
Jharkhand Police spokesman R.K. Malik said an FIR had been lodged and raids were being conducted to nab the attackers. Police earlier detained 20 people but no was arrested.
The activist likened the attack to mob lynchings that have been reported in several states in the past one year.
An injured Agnivesh, who was in pain, was later taken to a hospital. —