ADVERTISEMENTREMOVE AD

Minister Ram Shankar Katheria Denies Hate Speech Against Muslims

Ram Shankar Katheria, accused of hate-speech against Muslims, now says he only offered his condolences.

Updated
India
2 min read
story-hero-img
i
Aa
Aa
Small
Aa
Medium
Aa
Large
Hindi Female

Union Minister Ram Shankar Katheria, who has been accused of inciting violence against Muslims, at a condolence meeting for Dalit VHP leader, has said “whatever the newspaper [The Indian Express] said about my speech is completely untrue.”

On Thursday, a VHP leader, Arun Kumar Mahaur, was shot dead by five men in Agra. VHP members allege that he was murdered by Muslim men.

The Hindu community is facing a “conspiracy” and it should strengthen itself and “set an example”, Union Minister Ram Shankar Katheria had said. His speech was inflammatory, appealing to the ‘strength’ of the Hindu community to fight the Muslims.

The Lok Sabha member from Agra, along with Fatehpur Sikri MP Babu Lal were among the leaders of BJP, VHP and Bajrang Dal who addressed the meeting held on Sunday following the killing of 50-year-old Arun Mahaur, VHP’s Lucknow vice president.

A close vigil is being kept on the activities of BJP leaders as well as members of other saffron outfits like Bajrang Dal, the sources said. Police said that one of the accused has been arrested while another is absconding. They added that no complaints had been received in connection with alleged inflammatory speeches made at the condolence meeting.

Leaders of the Hindu outfits have asked for compensation for the family of the deceased to be increased. The state government has announced Rs 15 lakh for the family.

Opposition parties reacted sharply to the remarks by BJP leaders with Leader of the Congress party in Lok Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge alleging that BJP and RSS had plans to divide the country.

They speak whenever elections are nearing. They talk about dividing the country and not uniting. If they continue to speak like this, there will be repercussions across the country. Today we are raising this issue because Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Rajnath Singh are silent on this issue
Mallikarjun Kharge, MP, Congress

Asaduddin Owaisi, leader of All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen, said that he is not surprised by the remarks of the Union Minister.

This has been the continuous, consistent and obnoxious behavior by the Modi government. I am sure that no action will be taken. This is good because the real agenda of the government is being exposed. Their real agenda is to promote Hinduvta. A Minister speaking such language clearly shows that he went to Agra not for condolence meeting but to create communal mayhem.
Asaduddin Owaisi, MP, AIMIM

A group of social activists also held a protest at Jantar Mantar against the alleged hate speeches BJP MP.

(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)

0

Read Latest News and Breaking News at The Quint, browse for more from news and india

Published: 
Speaking truth to power requires allies like you.
Become a Member
3 months
12 months
12 months
Check Member Benefits
Read More
×
×