Will probe ‘anti-minority’ speeches by right-wing outfits: U’khand cops
THE MOVE COMES AFTER VIDEO CLIPS OF THE SPEECHES WERE CIRCULATED WIDELY ON SOCIAL MEDIA, DRAWING FLAK FROM SEVERAL CORNERS
HARIDWAR/DEHRADUN: Uttarakhand Police said on Wednesday it will inquire alleged speeches made against religious minorities by members of right-wing organisations at the three-day Dharma Sansad held from December 17 to December 19 in Haridwar.
The move comes after video clips of speeches were circulated widely on social media, drawing flak from several corners. HT could not verify the authenticity of these video clips.
The speeches, allegedly made at the event, include one in which a participant is heard saying he wished to become Nathuram Godse and shoot former prime minister Manmohan Singh. Another participant warned the Haridwar administration that they would vandalise hotels and commercial establishments where Christmas celebrations were held. Another speaker could be heard targeting religious minorities.
Uttarakhand director general of police (DGP) Ashok Kumar said on Wednesday: “As of now, the police haven’t received any complaint against the speeches made by participants in the event. The police would look into them and take action as per law.”
One of the seers at the event could be allegedly seen passing objectionable statements against Manmohan Singh.
He cited a statement made by Singh in Parliament.
He then said: “This was said by our PM in Parliament. And when I read about it in the newspaper, I just wished that if I would have been an MP there holding a revolver, then I would have become Nathuram Godse and put all the six bullets in him inside Parliament.”
During the same event, some seers also made objectionable statements against religious minorities. One of them targeted a minority community saying swords were not enough to kill them and people needed much better weapons.
Former chief minister and Congress national general secretary Harish Rawat termed the speeches “highly condemnable and objectionable.”
“It is shocking and hurtful that someone can use such words against a man like former PM Manmohan Singh who is the epitome of sobriety and a thorough Gandhian. He might have never said anything which hurt any other person. Despite that, if anyone thinks of killing him, then it is upto the people of country to think where we are heading towards?” asked Rawat.
The BJP, meanwhile, distanced itself from the statement made by seers. Party state vicepresident Devendra Bhasin said, “BJP has nothing do with the statements made by the participants of the event. Having said that, party also never supports violence against anyone.”