Babu Lal Choudhary told dna that he stands firm on his stand and even alleged that Hindus in this country were being exploited by the Muslim community. He also questioned the manner in which the death of the VHP worker was being treated differently from the killing of Mohammad Akhlaq in Dadri.
Even as the junior HRD minister, Ram Shankar Katheria, MP from Agra, on Tuesday denied having made any anti-Muslim remarks, his party colleague and MP from nearby Fatehpur Sikri stood by his statement,
allegedly made from the same podium on Sunday at a condolence meeting of a VHP’s Dalit leader Arun Mahaur.
Babu Lal Choudhary told dna that he stands firm on his stand and even alleged that Hindus in this country were being exploited by the Muslim community. He also questioned the manner in which the death of the VHP worker was being treated differently from the killing of Mohammad Akhlaq in Dadri.
“When Akhlaq was killed, his family got Rs 50 lakhs as compensation and even four houses, but the when a Hindu dies, the family gets no justice. Had some Hindu killed a Muslim, the state would have been up in flames,” said Babu Lal.
The two MPs were attending a condolence meeting for Mahaur who was allegedly shot dead by five Muslims youths on Thursday.
“Mahaur was shot dead because he opposed these Muslims for slaughtering cows. Last year, they torched his shop and now they shot him dead,” said Babu Lal. Mahuar, who feared for his life, had earlier approached the police for protection.
Blaming Uttar Pradesh government for its double standards, Babu Lal demanded that the family be compensated well at par with Akhlaq. “Why is he being treated differently from Akhlaq. The government has only given 15 lakh rupees, no house, no job.”
Speaking to dna, Babu Lal said, “Muslims are targeting Hindus openly.
In Uttar Pradesh, Muslim men loiter outside colleges where our Hindu girls go to study. They lure Hindu girls to elope with them. UP is outraged and we will fight till the finish. ”
Drawing parallel with the assassination of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, the MP further added, “When Indira Gandhi was shot dead, a section of society had to bear the brunt. Now a Hindu youth has been shot....”
While Babu Lal said such incidents were a routine affair in Uttar Pradesh and it was high time for the Hindu’s to get rid of it, his counterpart Katheria made a U-turn from, saying he was misquoted.
The BJP government has also announced observing a social harmony week starting April 14. "What has been published as my speech is completely wrong. I didn't name any community. I only said the killers should be
hanged. I had also said that the Hindu community should unite for their safety,” the minister said, following an uproar.
Meanwhile, the opposition parties in Parliament slammed Katheria for his alleged hate speech. The Congress alleged that the speech by Katheria showed that BJP and RSS resorted to divisive agenda, especially ahead of elections, while Asaduddin Owaisi, leader of All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen, said the real agenda of the NDA government is being "exposed".
The Congress has also moved a motion in both the Houses for a discussion on his comments.
(With agency inputs)
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