Amit Shah in Muzaffarnagar: Vote for BJP to take revenge

Muzaffarnagar: Bharatiya Janata Party general secretary and Narendra Modi’s close aide, Amit Shah triggered controversy saying the 2014 elections is about revenge and honour.

Addressing a rally in a village near Muzaffarnagar on Saturday, Amit Shah said, “If you want revenge, vote for the BJP.”

“This election is about voting out the government that protects and gives compensation to those who killed Jats,” Shah said.

Shah added, “A man can live without food or sleep. He can live when he’s thirsty and hungry. But when he’s insulted, he can’t live. Apmaan ka badla toh lena padega.”

Shah was accompanied by BJP MLA Suresh Rana, who is named as one of the accused for instigating Muzaffarnagar riots in 2013.

"The Uttar Pradesh Government has insulted people. People who had gone for their 'secular tourism' have insulted people. It is not the question whether a person is Hindu or Muslim. It is about rubbing salt instead of medicine on the backs of those who suffered in those riots," said BJP spokesmen Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi.

While addressing supporters in Bijnore, Shah said that if Narendra Modi becomes the prime minister, the next day “Mullah Mulayam’s government” will be dismissed.

Meanwhile, taking strong objection to Mr Shah’s comment, Congress has complained to EC accusing him of creating animosity between communities.

"Then they said that the people living in camps are not the victims of the riots and that they are the supporters of political parties. This is nothing but an insult to the people. Therefore this insult has to be paid back," Naqvi added.

The clashes were triggered on August 27, 2013 when a Muslim youth was stabbed to death by two Hindu youths after being accused of sexually harassing their sister. A Muslim mob stoned the two Hindus to death.

More than 50 people died and 41,000 were displaced when clashes between Muslims and Jats erupted in Muzaffarnagar in Uttar Pradesh.

At least five cases of gangrape and two of sexual harassment were filed with the police in the aftermath of the violence. But activists say it is likely there are other victims who have not spoken out, fearing stigma and reprisals.

Meanwhile, taking strong objection to Shah’s comment, the Congress has complained to EC accusing Shah of creating animosity between communities, demanding that he be arrested and banned from campaigning. The party also demanded "stern action" against BJP and its PM candidate Modi, including derecognition of the party, for the alleged violation of mode 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," AICC spokesman Randeep Surjewala said. In its complaint, the Congress quoted a media report and said that Shah has 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."

The party said that "the memory of the ghastly and deplorable incident is still vivid in the minds of the people."

Citing the contents of his reported speech, the Congress said, "the statements as reported are with a calculated design to create communal hatred and tension between the two communities for seeking votes in the coming elections."

"This is also an appeal in the name of the caste and community and provokes communal feelings for the purpose of securing votes," it said.

The party said Amit Shah has committed "an offence under section 125 of the Representation of Peoples Act, 1951 and it calls for immediate registration of FIR and his arrest along with other BJP workers for their common intention to commit this offence."

"In addition, since it is also a violation of the Model Code of Conduct, immediate action may also be taken against BJP, Amit Shah and Narendra Modi for violation of the code," Congress said.

"It appears that they are incorrigible and a stern action including de-recognition of the political party would be most appropriate in the given circumstance. It is therefore requested accordingly," the party said in the complaint.

Surjewala said, "We will make a demand to the state government and election commission that a criminal is lodged against Amit Shah and Muzaffarnagar riots accused MLA Suresh Rana and they should be prevented from campaigning in any part of the country. There should be a complete ban (on them)."