A BJP leader in Uttar Pradesh has been booked under the stringent Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act for allegedly burning the photos of BSP supremo Mayawati and SP president Akhilesh Yadav during a Holika Dahan event in Barabanki.
The incident took place on March 20 and an FIR was filed at Ramnagar police station in Barabanki late on Friday, the police said on Saturday. The case was registered against Rambabu Dwivedi, State vice-president of the BJP Kisan Morcha.
‘Hurled casteist abuses’
According to the complaint lodged by SP MLC Rajesh Yadav, Mr. Dwivedi, along with others, burned pictures of Ms. Mayawati and Mr. Akhilesh Yadav during the festival and hurled sexist and casteist abuses at the leaders. A video of the event was also shared on social media.
“Even today people of savarna caste want to oppress Dalits and OBCs and they have made their intentions known by setting on fire pictures of leaders of Dalits,” said the MLC in his complaint, adding the video was shared to instigate riots.
“A probe is on,” the Barabanki police said on Twitter.
Mr. Akhilesh Yadav said the Holika Dahan had sent a clear message that “Dalits and OBC communities will be suppressed and burned under the BJP rule just like they have been for centuries.” “The BJP will soon face the wrath of the deprived sections,” Mr. Akhilesh Yadav tweeted.
Mr. Dwivedi, however, sought to justify the incident. “It was not to personally hurt anyone. The event was an effigy burning of the forces of anarchy, corruption and goondaism,” he told The Hindu .
