Aaqil Hussain, TwoCircles.net
Uttar Pradesh: Accusing the BJP and RSS of defaming activist Sharjeel Usmani, Elgar Parishad has come in support of Usmani saying the speech which, “He (Usmani) gave at the Elgar Parishad event has been misrepresented.”
The organizers of the Elgar Parishad event also said that they are fully aware of consequences but “will stand in support of Sharjeel Usmani.”
The organization, which organized ‘Elgar Parishad 2021’ in Pune on January 30, issued a statement in support of Aligarh Muslim University alumnus Sharjeel Usmani. The ‘Bhima Koregaon Shaurya Divas Prerna Abhiyan’ stated on Saturday, “The statement given by Sharjeel Usmani in Elgar Parishad on 30 January 2021 has been misrepresented by the Brahminist Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, Bharatiya Janata Party and Sangh Parivar.” Further, Bhima Koregaon Shaurya Divas Prerna Abhiyan stated that the “Sangh Parivar has again promoted their casteist and communal hatred by targeting Sharjeel.”
“Sharjeel Usmani is a 23-year-old Muslim student and the Muslim part of his identity had to be mentioned because the perverted, vile and violent reaction to Sharjeel’s speech is solely because of his religion,” the statement said.
Aligarh Muslim University alumnus Sharjeel Usmani has been accused of making objectionable remarks about Hinduism during an Elgar Parishad event held in Pune on January 30. An FIR has been filed against Sharjeel Usmani at Swargate Police Station, Pune under Section 153-A. In Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, a case has been registered against Sharjeel Usmani under various sections including sedition.
After the organizers of Elgar Parishad came in support of Sharjeel, the Maharashtra BJP has demanded strict action against the organizers. BJP spokesperson Keshav Upadhyay tweeted that “Elgar Parishad is dividing the society.” The BJP spokesperson said that by supporting Usmani, the Elgar Parishad has stated its true intentions.