MUMBAI: The BJP has demanded strong action against Sharjeel Usmani, a speaker at the recently held Elgar Parishad in Pune.
In a press release, Opposition leader in the state assembly Devendra Fadnavis alleged Usmani’s speech was anti-Hindutva and spread communal hatred.
“It is very surprising that a person comes to Maharashtra, makes statements that hurt religious sentiments and returns to his home state without the government initiating any legal action against him,” he said.
The Elgar Parishad organised by the Bhima Koregaon Shaurya Din Prerna Abhiyan was held in Pune on January 30. Amongst those who addressed the gathering was author Arundhati Roy, former bureaucrat Kannan Gopinath, former Bombay high court judge BG Kolse Patil.
The first meeting was also held in Pune on December 31, 2017. A day later, caste clashes broke out in Bhima Koregaon. Several well known activists were arrested following the clashes.
In a letter to chief minister Uddhav Thackeray, Fadnavis has demanded severe action against Usmani an alumnus of the Aligarh Muslim University.
Despite being aware of what happened at the Elgar Parishad during the tenure of the previous government (BJP-Sena), the Maha Vikas Aghadi government granted permission for the parishad to be held, said Fadnavis. Granting permission for the parishad was wrong and this is proven by Sharjeel’s speech made at the event, he added.
“Merely because the government granted permission for the event to be held does not mean it should keep quiet when such speeches are made. We will not tolerate someone coming to Maharashtra and destroying communal harmony and the entire society especially the Hindu community expects you too (CM Uddhav Thackeray) will not tolerate the same,” said Fadnavis.
BJP MLA from Kandivali East Atul Bhatkalkar filed a police complaint at the Dindoshi police station against Usmani for fomenting communal hatred.