Thiruvananthapuram/ Aligarh: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday said the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh brought the country to a “state of embarrassment” and urged the federal government to take action against those “propagating hate”.
“The Sangh Parivar forces have brought our country, which is revered by all as a secular democracy, to a state of embarrassment in front of the world,” Vijayan said in a statement.
He said the remarks made by former BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma and the party’s expelled Delhi media head Naveen Kumar Jindal against the Prophet (PBUH) not only affect social security but also the country’s economy.
“The Hindutva communal politics affects not our only social security but also our economy,” he stated.
The Chief Minister further said many Islamic countries, which employ millions of Indians and make a significant contribution to our economy and development, have become vocal in their opposition to the “politics of hatred” of the BJP and the Sangh Parivar.
“Many Islamic countries that provide employment to lakhs of Indians and also play a major role in the development of our economy, have raised voices against the hate politics of BJP and Sangh Parivar. These countries have good relations with India,” he added.
He further alleged that the hate comments against Prophet are a part of Sangh Parivar’s agenda.
“The Centre should take action against those propagating hate and trying to destroy the secular fabric of our country. Moreover, we should unanimously raise voice against such communal elements,” Vijayan said.
Following the suspension from BJP over her alleged remarks, Nupur Sharma withdrew her statement by saying that “it was never her intention to hurt anyone’s religious feelings”.
BJP also issued a statement and said it strongly denounces insult of any religious personalities of any religion and is against any ideology which insults or demeans any section or religion.
Case filed against right-wing activist for remarks
In Aligarh, a case has been registered against national secretary of the Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha (ABHM), Mahamandaleshwar Annapurna Bharti, alias Pooja Shakun Pandey, for making a statement seeking a ban on namaaz.
She has also been served with a notice issued by the Additional City Magistrate (First) Aligarh.
Pandey replied to the notice on Monday evening, saying that that she regretted if speaking the truth had hurt the sentiments of any religion.
She however, denied that her statement was “provocative”.
SSP Aligarh Kalanidhi Naithani said on Tuesday: “A case has been registered against Pooja Shakun Pandey under section 153A, 153B, 295A and 505 of Indian Penal Code at Gandhi Park police station of Aligarh for disputed statements made by her.
“Investigations are ongoing in this case, and appropriate action will be taken. Besides this, a notice has also been served on this issue by the concerned magistrate.”
Ashok Pandey, the national spokesperson for ABHM, has objected to the action taken by the administration.
Pooja Shakun Pandey is not new to controversies.
She had been booked earlier for glorifying and offering prayers to Nathuram Godse and for various comments and acts in the past.
In the latest controversy, she had handed over a memorandum to the administration and written a letter in blood to the President seeking a ban on crowd fathering for Friday ‘namaz’.
“Such a crowd has often turned violent against other communities as seen in Kanpur,” she alleged.
Pandey said that she understands the administration’s compulsions for acting against her for speaking the truth and not against those who were doing wrong.
