New Delhi, April 8 – The Election Commission has issued a notice to BJP general secretary Amit Shah over his recent hate speech in Bijnor, adjoining riot-affected Muzaffarnagar, exhorting Jats to “avenge their insult”.
On Monday, the EC issued the notice to the controversial former Gujarat home minister and sought his reply. The EC action follows a complaint by the Congress seeking action against him for his “provocative hate speeches”. Amit Shah booked for ‘revenge’ remark on Muzaffarnagar riots
The party had demanded that Shah be arrested and debarred from campaigning in Uttar Pradesh. In the commission’s meeting on Monday, the EC found prima facie that Shah’s statement regarding revenge raised some questions for the model code of conduct.
The notice comes after the Bijnor returning officer on Sunday ordered registration of an FIR against Shah under Section 125A of the Representation of People Act and Section 153A of the Indian Penal Code. Election Commission probes Amit Shah’s revenge remarks
The BJP had condemned the action of Bijnor district administration, saying the FIR was “not bona fide” and that it was a “calculated design” to communalise and polarise the election scenario in UP.
Addressing a gathering of Jats in Bijnor recently, Shah, who is the party’s poll in-charge for the state, said, “You have been treated as second-grade citizens. It is time for revenge now.. batons, guns and swords belong to a bygone era. These days you take revenge by pressing the button (on the EVM).” Amit Shah under fire for speech against Mulayam
The remarks prima facie violate sub para 3 of Para 1 of the model code, which states that “there shall be no appeal to caste or communal feelings for securing votes”.
-INDIA TODAY
