Katheria puts record straight (Video)

New Delhi

Union Minister of State for HRD Ram Shankar Katheria on Tuesday said that he had not delivered a hate speech against Muslims in Agra in the wake of the murder of VHP worker Arun Mahaur.

He said a 35-year-old Vishwa Hindu Parishad cadre from Dalit community was killed in Agra when he was performing puja at 11.00 am in public. He was attending his condolence meet which was also attended by members of other parties.

He said, Indian Express journalist Siraj Qureshi has written false report and he would consult lawyers to send notice in response to report published.

He said he only said that Hindus need to unite and protect themselves. He said he had not mentioned any religion in his speech, CD of which he has.

He also denied having incited violence against Muslims.

Katheria said that what has been published in newspapers was completely untrue and said that only the convicted would be punished.

He also denied using words like “badla” or “hathiyaar” in his speech. Katheria also added that every BJP minister wanted peace in the country.

It should be mentioned here that local police has arrested one Shahrukh who is main accused in murder of VHP cadre.

– With inputs from ANI

Kalraj Mishra says VHP leader’s murder tragic, advises caution to MPs

New Delhi

Union Minister Kalraj Mishra today said the murder of a VHP leader in Uttar Pradesh was “tragic” and highlighted the poor law and order situation there but cautioned against “reactions which trigger violence and unrest”.

Mishra’s remarks came in the backdrop of Union Minister Ram Shankar Katheria’s alleged inflammatory speech at a condolence meeting held for dalit Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Arun Mahaur, who was shot dead on Thursday.

Asked about Katheria’s comments, Mishra said: “The law and order situation in Uttar Pradesh is really bad, due to which neither the common man nor political leaders are safe.

The murder of a VHP leader is tragic. People have reacted (to it). We certainly don’t want reactions which trigger violence and unrest.”

Under attack over his speech, Katheria today claimed he did not target any community.

Katheria, along with BJP MP from Fatehpur Sikri Babu Lal, had on Sunday attended a condolence meeting held for Mahaur, who was allegedly killed by some youths from another community in Agra on Thursday.

At the meeting, Katheria had reportedly said: “This conspiracy that is being hatched against the Hindu community, we have to be be alert to recognize it and strengthen ourselves. We will have to fight it because if we do not do it now, today we have lost one Arun, tomorrow it could be another Arun…the killers should also go, we have to set such an example”.

– With inputs fro PTI