New Delhi, April 5 (IANS) BJP prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi's close aide Amit Shah has raked up a controversy with a remark on the Muzaffarnagar riots, with political parties attacking him Saturday and the Congress seeking his arrest.
But the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) defended Shah, saying they see "nothing wrong in his remark".
Shah reportedly said in a recent election meeting in Muzaffarnagar that "this election is about voting out the government that protects and gives compensation to those who killed Jats. It is about badla (revenge) and protecting izzat (honour)".
He was accompanied by BJP legislator Suresh Rana, who was an accused in the Muzaffarnagar riots in which over 60 people, mostly Muslims, had died, while thousands were rendered homeless.
Attacking Shah for his "provocative hate speech", Congress complained to the Election Commission Saturday.
The Congress sought his arrest and asked for banning him from campaigning for "creating animosity between communities" in western Uttar Pradesh.
The Congress also demanded "stern action" against the BJP and Modi, including derecognition of the party, for the alleged violation of the model code of conduct.
"BJP, Modi and Amit Shah are trying to replicate the politics of hatred and communal divide like what was done in 2002 in Gujarat," party spokesman Randeep Surjewala told reporters.
The Congress, in its complaint to the poll panel, quoted a media report, which said that Shah had made a "provocative hate speech" in a Muzaffarnagar village "to cause animosity between two communities, where communal violence had taken place recently and a large number of innocent persons were brutally killed".
Surjewala said: "We will make a demand to the state government and election commission that a criminal case is lodged against Amit Shah and Muzaffarnagar riots accused (legislator) Suresh Rana and they should be prevented from campaigning in any part of the country. There should be a complete ban (on them)."
BJP spokesperson Nirmala Sitharaman, however, said: "We see nothing wrong in Amit Shah's statement."
She used the opportunity to drag Congress chief Sonia Gandhi into the controversy over her appeal to Delhi's Shahi Imam of Jama Masjid, contending that the attempt to polarise the elections had been initiated by the "so-called secular" party.
"There has been lot of discussion on what Amit Shah has said in a public meeting in Muzaffarnagar. He actually captured the mood of the nation," Sitharaman told reporters.
The Janata Dal-United also condemned Amit Shah's remark, saying that this is a "warning to all regional parties that if by mistake Modi becomes PM then all state governments will be dismissed".
JD-U's national spokesperson K.C. Tyagi said: "Saying 'apmaan ke badle apmaan' is highly objectionable."
Samajwadi Party leader Ram Gopal Yadav said: "Nobody in India can pull down a democratically elected majority government. The BJP leader seems to be ignorant about how strong the Indian democracy is."
Maken ahead, Bedi and Kejriwal trail in Assets Race
New Delhi, Jan 21 (IANS) AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal owns assets worth about Rs.2 crore, nearly Rs.5 lakh less since his last declaration in 2014 for the Lok Sabha polls, while BJP's chief
Republic Day 2023: Indian Navy's IL 38 aircraft will fly for the first and last time on the path of duty on Republic Day
After completing 44 years of service to the nation, the Indian Navy\'s IL 38 aircraft will fly the duty path for the first and last time on Republic Day this year. Wing Commander Indranil Nandi
Four held for selling CGHS Medicines in Market
New Delhi, Jan 20 (IANS) Four people, including a government employee, have been arrested for illegally supplying Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) medicines in open market, police said
'I don't want a husband like him...' Sunita's old video goes viral amid news of her divorce from Govinda
Some time ago, it was reported that there was some rift between Govinda and his wife, and he was going to divorce his wife, Sunita. However, later, Sunita shut everyone's mouth with her statement when
Violence over Tipu-Aurangzeb in Kolhapur: Four companies of SRPF, 300 constables-60 officers deployed, situation under control now
Things are slowly becoming normal in Kolhapur, Maharashtra. Most of the shops were seen open in the city on Thursday. At the same time, people were seen buying items of daily need. A senior police
President, PM congratulate Indian cricket team
New Delhi, March 6 (IANS) President Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday congratulated the Indian cricket team for their four-wicket victory against the West Indies in the
Shraddha Murder: Aftab's health is said to be bad, and BP is also increased; Suspense on polygraph test even today
There is news about the health of Aftab Amin Poonawala, accused in the Shraddha Walker murder case, that his health is a bit bad. His blood pressure has increased, due to which his polygraph test
Rushdie's new Novel to be out in September
New Delhi, Feb 2 (IANS) Author Salman Rushdie's new novel, a wonder tale about the way we live, will be launched in September, an official statement said.Hamish Hamilton, an imprint of Penguin, has
Tejashwi Yadav announced Bihar bandh on March 26, said - will raise this issue strongly
Patna: Bihar Leader of Opposition Tejashwi Yadav announced Bihar bandh on 26 March. Angered by the incident in the Bihar Legislative Assembly, Tejashwi Yadav announced the Bihar bandh with all the
DC vs RR: Sanju Samson broke the record of great Shane Warne, and did a big feat for Rajasthan Royals
Sanju Samson has created history for Rajasthan Royals. Sanju Samson has become the player to captain the most number of matches for Rajasthan Royals in IPL. Samson broke
