Ranchi: In his first post-assault press conference at Pakur, Jharkhand, social activist Swami Agnivesh claimed that the assaulter beating him while chanting Jai Shri Ram was not Hinduism. He mentioned that such actions were actually taking India towards a fascist regime.
On Tuesday, Swami Agnivesh had been physically assaulted allegedly by members of BJP Yuva Morcha members minutes after he addressed a press meet on the sidelines of an Adivasi function, which he was to attend.
“While assaulting me, they were chanting Jai Shri Ram and Gau Mans Khaney Ke Samarthak Bharat chhodo (the supporter of beef eaters, leave India). But tell me, how can I support beef eating, when I don’t even support anyone eating fish,” he questioned.
Watch Swami Agnivesh’s press conference:
[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aE8_rhBqB04[/embedyt]
He then added, “By taking the name of Ram, they are maligning the image of Ram and Hindu religion and the Sanatan culture. They are using violence to silence people.”
Significantly, the day Swami Agnivesh had been beaten by a mob in Jharkhand, the Supreme Court of India had directed the Union Government led by BJP’s Narendra Modi to bring a law to address the issue of mob lynching.
The activist also mentioned how innocents like Pehlu Khan, Junaid and many from Jharkhand had been lynched by mobs. He also expressed dissatisfaction on the probe ordered by the Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das and demanded a judicial probe, lead by any retired chief justice of Jharkhand High Court.
JVM Chief Babulal Marandi who along with Congress leader Subodh Kant Sahai, Pakur MLA Alamgir Alam and RJD’s Gautam Sagar Rana were also present during the press meet, claimed that the attack was a state-sponsored attack. Sahai demanded an apology from PM Narendra Modi regarding Swami Agnivesh’s assault and called the attack as a national shame. They also indicated that they would be holding protest across the state in connection with the latest mob assault.
Meanwhile, the Jharkhand’s Urban Development Minister CP Singh, during the state Assembly said that “Swami Agnivesh is a fraud” and that the attack on him had that he had conspired to get himself attacked.
