An FIR has been lodged against former BJP MLA Gyan Deo Ahuja at the Govindgarh police station in Alwar for promoting communal enmity and hatred. He was booked after being caught on camera saying that “we have lynched five people” for cow smuggling.
Ahuja went to show solidarity with the family of an alleged mob-lynching victim, Chiranji Lal. A group of people thrashed vegetable vendor, Chiranji Lal, on August 14, suspecting him of tractor theft. The man sustained grievous injuries and died during treatment. Police arrested many accused in the case.
During his visit to Chiranji Lal’s house, Ahuja allegedly spewed fire on a particular community and was caught on camera making certain unsavoury comments. The video of his visit and comments went viral on social media.
In the video that surfaced on Saturday, Ahuja is seen sitting during a programme in Govindgarh. He can be heard saying, “Sab log baithe hain Govindgarh ke, andolan chalna chaiye.” (Everyone from Govindgarh is here and there should be a movement against the death of Chiranji Lal).
“Till now, we have killed five… in Lalwandi and Behror… it happened for the first time in this area…they have killed one. I have given a free hand to my workers to kill…whoever is found smuggling cows. We will get our men acquitted and get them bail. A roadmap has to be made to run the movement,” Ahuja was heard as saying in the video.
Taking cognizance of his comments, an FIR was filed under Section 153 of IPC.
Talking to The New Indian, Ahuja rubbished the FIR. “It was a general discussion with the family members. They were telling me that we should start a movement against the murder of Chiranji Lal. I agreed with their points and said that the movement should start from Govindgarh itself and we will support it. Other people told me that a Hindu has died and no one cares. I just told them that only one Hindu has died but five other people have died in different places.”
Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee chief Govind Singh Dotasra tweeted Ahuja’s video on Saturday stating that – “These words are from Gyan Deo Ahuja, a former BJP MLA. What more proof is needed of BJP’s religious terror and bigotry? The real face of BJP has come to the fore in the entire country.”
Speaking to The New Indian, Dotasra said, “This is an out-an-out case of spreading communal violence in the country. Action should be taken against the ex-MLA by not just the police officials but BJP party members as well. If BJP still thinks itself to be a secular party, then they should sack Ahuja.”
Refuting allegations of spreading communalism in the state, Ahuja said that he has no malicious intention against any community and whatever Dotasra is saying reeks of political rivalry.