Union Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma on Friday violated ban order under Section 144 of the Code of Criminal Procedure when he visited Bishara village in Dadri, Uttar Pradesh, where Mohammad Akhlaque was lynched over rumours of cow slaughter.
Mr. Sharma held a meeting with Hindu leaders in the compound of the same temple from where rumours of beef eating were announced on the loudspeaker on Monday in reaction to which a mob lynched Akhlaque. The meeting took place despite the ban on assembly of five or more persons.
‘Harassment’ During the meeting, several people complained to him about the “harassment” by the local administration. Mr. Sharma warned the local administration against “victimisation” of “innocent” members of the majority community during investigation.
Mr. Sharma is BJP MP for Gautam Buddha Nagar.
Preliminary investigation revealed that the meat in Akhlaque’s house was that of a goat.
The small sleepy village, Bishara has now become a centre of attention, with political leaders queuing up to reassure the people on safety.
Mr. Sharma, whose initial remark about the killing being an ‘accident’ had provoked criticism, met Akhlaque’s family and stressed rendering justice without “victimising innocents”.
He reiterated that Akhlaque’s killing by a mob was an “accident” and the result of a “misunderstanding” and was not a “pre-planned murder”. “It should not be given communal colour,” he said. “The culprits should be punished but innocents should not be victimised in the name of investigation.”
Earlier in the day, All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) leader Asaduddin Owaisi visited Akhlaque’s house. He alleged that it was a “pre-planned murder” highlighting Akhlaque’s religion.
“Those who argue that Akhlaque’s death was an accident should get their heads checked.”
Mr. Owaisi targeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his “silence” over an incident which had triggered nationwide outrage.
“We expected that our Prime Minister who talks about ‘ Sabka saath, Sabka vikas’ and inclusive politics would condemn Akhlaque’s killing and condole his death at least through a tweet. But it seems, it is all empty words,” he said.
He targeted the ruling Samajwadi Party’s Muslim face, Azam Khan, and said those who were “concerned should come out of their homes and visit Akhlaque’s family, rather than just giving statements while being at home.”
PTI reports:
Six arrested
Six persons have been arrested in connection with the lynching of a man over alleged beef consumption at Bishada village near Dadri. A manhunt was launched to arrest the rest named accused in the case, a senior police officer said on Friday.
“Six persons have been arrested and more accused were being identified through news channels clippings,” said Senior Superintendent of Police, Gautam Buddh Nagar, Kiran S.
Police on Friday booked a case against one Anuj Kumar for posting objectionable material on the Bishara incident. Through cyber data, the police were trying to get to the accused. If it was found that he had posted the objectionable material he would be arrested, the SSP said.
The District Magistrate had issued a warning and said action would be taken against people spreading rumours in the social media about the incident.
