Friday, Apr 26, 2024 | Last Update : 04:49 AM IST
‘I use hatred, fear… who am I?’ asks Rahul Gandhi
Swami Agnivesh, 80, was allegedly assaulted, punched and kicked by a group of BJP Yuva Morcha in Jharkhand.
New Delhi: Posting a jibe at the BJP over the assault on social activist Swami Agnivesh, Congress chief Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday posted a ‘pop quiz’ on Twitter, asking, “I use hatred and fear to maintain the hierarchy of power, who am I?”
Mr. Gandhi posted the ‘pop quiz’ on Twitter and also tagged a video of the assault shown by a news channel. “I bow to the most powerful in the line. A person's strength and power are all that are important to me. I use hatred & fear to maintain the hierarchy of power.”
Swami Agnivesh, 80, was allegedly assaulted, punched and kicked by a group of BJP Yuva Morcha in Jharkhand. Police said an FIR has been lodged under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including attempt to murder. Swami Agnivesh was in the state to address a meeting of tribals.
Last week, Mr. Gandhi had urged Twitterati to sign a petition against Union minister Mr. Jayant Sinha. Mr. Sinha had garlanded people who were accused of lynching. The Congress has been attacking the BJP over the spate in lynching cases in the country. Many cases of mob fury have been reported over the last several months. The Congress along with other opposition parties plans to raise the issue in the ongoing monsoon session.
The SC on Tuesday had asked the Parliament to consider enacting a new law to effectively deal with incidents of mob lynching, saying “horrendous acts of mobocracy” could not be allowed to become the norm. The government had replied: “The NCRB does not maintain specific data on lynching.”
Agnivesh wants judicial probe
A day after being assaulted in Jharkhand’s Pakur town, allegedly by members of BJP-sponsored outfits, social activist Swami Agnivesh has demanded a judicial probe into the matter. “I believe that the attack against me was sponsored by the BJP. I can say this because our team had informed in writing to the district administration about the event and my visit but no security arrangements were made. I demand a judicial probe into the matter so that all those who have been involved can be punished,” Swami Agnivesh said before leaving for New Delhi on Wednesday. Supporters of Swami Agnivesh said he was dragged onto the road, slapped and kicked by BJP workers who had assembled outside his hotel on Tuesday.
