Synopsis
Udit Raj, a senior Congress figure, attributes West Bengal's violence surge to the BJP's influence, labeling the Waqf Act as unconstitutional. He urges for peaceful democratic expressions and raises concerns over security during the upcoming Hanuman Jayanti Shobha Yatra in light of past violence incidents.Key Takeaways
- Udit Raj blames BJP's rise for violence in West Bengal.
- Claims Waqf Act is unconstitutional and harms Muslims' rights.
- Cautions against provocations during religious processions.
- Delhi Police sets conditions for the Hanuman Jayanti Shobha Yatra.
- Reflects on previous Jahangirpuri violence during processions.
New Delhi, April 12 (NationPress) Senior Congress leader Udit Raj stated on Saturday that the increase in violence in West Bengal can be linked to the growing presence of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the region.
His comments followed unrest in the Murshidabad district concerning the Waqf Act, which led to incidents of arson and violence.
In an interview with IANS, Raj remarked, "India is a democratic nation. People may hold differing opinions on various matters, and consensus may not always be reached, but any educational or social movements must occur through democratic means. There is no justification for violence or arson."
He further asserted that the BJP and RSS might be responsible for instigating the unrest in the state.
"Bengal has historically been a peaceful state, yet since the BJP's rise, violence has become a daily occurrence. Violence should not exist, and I firmly condemn it. The Waqf (Amendment) Bill is incorrect; it is unconstitutional, stripping Muslims of their rights. If an investigation is conducted, it may reveal the BJP or RSS's involvement in this unrest," he added.
The Congress leader also expressed concerns regarding safety in the national capital during the approaching Hanuman Jayanti Shobha Yatra, particularly after the violence that transpired in Jahangirpuri during a similar event in 2022.
"During the incident I observed, there were sticks, large spears, and swords -- the procession was conducted in such a manner. If such events continue in this way, we might believe that the police are escalating the violence," he told IANS.
He warned against provocative behavior during religious processions and stated, "Otherwise, the experience from that time was very distressing. The manner in which slogans were shouted provocatively in front of the mosque led to clashes -- such occurrences must be avoided."
Meanwhile, the Delhi Police has granted conditional approval for the Hanuman Jayanti Shobha Yatra in Jahangirpuri, restricting the number of participants to 500. They have mandated that no one may carry weapons, and the procession must adhere to a designated route. The event will occur under strict police supervision.
The 2022 Jahangirpuri violence erupted during a Hanuman Jayanti procession, resulting in clashes between two communities. Stones were thrown, incidents of arson were documented, and even gunfire occurred. At least eight police officers and several participants sustained injuries during the turmoil.
Following the incident, the Delhi Police filed a chargesheet against 45 individuals, claiming that the violence was premeditated. The chargesheet also connected the riots to the 2019–20 CAA-NRC protests and the 2020 North-East Delhi riots.
A total of 44 individuals were arrested, along with two minors taken into custody.
