By TCN Staff Reporter
Delhi: Members of civil society, minority religious orgainsations, academicians and citizens organised a protest meeting at Jantar Mantar, Delhi against the controversial remarks made by BJP office bearers recently in Agra.
Over 100 people gathered on Tuesday under the banner of ‘I am a Muslim, Come Kill me’ to protest against the hate speeches of various BJP members, including Minister of State, Human Resource Development and Agra MP Ram Shankar Katheria as well as BJP’s Fatehpur Sikri MP Babu Lal, apart from other party local leaders, who joined in the threats to Muslims.
During the condolence meeting of a VHP member killed allegedly by Muslim youth, the BJP leaders called upon the crowd to orner Muslims and destroy the demons (rakshas)”, according to the report in Indian Express, while declaring that ‘all preparations’ had been made to effect “badla (revenge)” before the 13th-day death rituals for Mahaur. “Human skulls would be offered to his martyrdom,” VHP district secretary Ashok Lavania, who has been jailed earlier for assaults on Muslims, said.
Shabnam Hashmi, Social activist and Founding Trustee of Act Now for Harmony and Democracy (ANHAD) said while such speeches coming from BJP members does not surprise her anymore, such statements must be denounced in the strongest terms. “What we saw in Agra is a continuation of xenophobic and hate-mongering statements made by members of the ruling party over the past 18 months or so. Such comments were made before the Muzaffarnagar riots too and we all know what happened there. We are protesting here to ensure that no such incidents happen in Agra too,” she said. The BJP members abused the local administration also, she said, adding that she also expects Akhilesh Yadav, UP’s Chief Minster, to take the strongest action against these people.
Speaking at the protests, John Dayal, Secretary General, All India Catholic Council, said the remarks made against Muslims must be seen as a threat by all religious minorities. “I am here even though I am not a Muslim. Why? Because the day a Muslim is targeted, the same fate will await Christians in this country too. We (Christians) are also seen as outsiders by these people, even though we have been here for thousands of years. The statements made in Agra must be condemned not only by Muslims, or Chrisitans, but even all peace-loving Hindus who do not agree with the ideology of the Sangh Parivar,” he said.
The protesters also submitted a memorandum to the President of India. “We are writing to you with an appeal to dismiss the minister and advise the government to take immediate action against all those mentioned above in hate speeches and creating an atmosphere of intimidation and insecurity in the country,” said the memorandum.