'PM abuse' row escalates, 4 FIRs filed, two arrested
PATNA, Aug. 30 -- Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar on Friday joined the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) leaders to condemn the use of vulgar language used against Prime Minister Narendra Modi purportedly from a Congress podium as the row escalated and two people were arrested after four cases were filed in the case.
Late on Friday, a complaint was also filed against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav before the court of the judicial magistrate in Muzaffarpur on the basis of a statement of lawyer-cum-district convenor of BJP's district law cell Anil Kumar Singh. The court is likely to hear the matter on September 11.
The row erupted on Thursday when someone known as Mohd Rizvi alias Raja, now arrested and in judicial custody, used invectives targeted at PM during an event organised by local Congress leader Mohammed Naushad in Simri block of Darbhanga. Overall, four cases have been filed in this connection and two persons, Naushad and Raja, have been arrested.
The CM took to X to register his angst at the foul words used for the PM."The kind of language that has been used is grossly indecent and I condemn it," he said on X.
Janata Dal (United) working president and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Jha said that CM Nitish Kumar's sentiments could be understood, as he has always upheld the dignity of chair, respected democratic values and followed parliamentary norms. "What else is left after a Congress platform erected for Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi is allowed to be used for abusing the country's PM and his late mother? Foul may be fair for Rahul Gandhi, for he is himself using such language against the PM that can never be acceptable, but Bihar people, especially in culturally rich Mithilanchal, will face outright rejection and strongest condemnation," he added. Union minister of state for home Nityanand Rai, who was in Patna, said that it was shameful that Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Prasad Yadav were providing platform for "abusing a mother who is no more in the world and whose son is today the most loved and respected leader of India and the world".
"This is an insult to all the mothers and the Congress-RJD combine would be made to pay dearly for this by the people of Bihar. Desperation after consistent political drubbings doesn't give them a license to abuse a country's PM. People have seen how low they can get," he added.
The entire NDA, including Union home minister Amit Shah, is unanimous in condemning the use of vulgar language and blaming Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Tejashwi Prasad Yadav for provoking his party leaders to use the defamatory language by setting a wrong example. With the PM scheduled to visit Bihar again on September 15, last before the announcement of election dates, experts say the Opposition has presented him with the right ammunition to sound the poll bugle.
Four cases were lodged in this connection, including one at Laheriasarai police station in Darbhanga, second with Simri police station and another with cyber police station on Thursday evening. The first case was lodged with Kotwali station on Thursday. More cases are likely to be lodged, said a BJP leader.
Later, police arrested one person, identified as Mohd Rizvi alias Raja, 20, from Singhwara police station area of Darbhanga.
"BJP Darbhanga (west) district president Aditya Narayan Choudhary had lodged a case against Mohdd Naushad and his associates of Jale segment area with Simri police station under various sections of BNS and IT Act. During investigation, Rizvi was arrested for using abusive language on the basis of the viral video," said a communique from the police headquarters. "Further investigation is on," it said.
Later, Rizvi was produced in the local court where he was sent to 14-day judicial custody.
The use of language and slogans play a pivotal part in making or marring a political campaign, especially during elections.
Judging by his aggressive postures, Rahul Gandhi has been on the offensive and attacking the PM and the Election Commission directly for "conniving to steal votes to win elections" all through his Yatra, which is set to conclude on August 31 and end on September 1 with a march in capital Patna. "Narendra Modi vote chori karke chinav jeetata hai aur Narendra Modi aur Amit Shah ki madad Election Commission Karta hai. (Narendra Modi wins election by stealing votes and the EC helps Modi and Amit Shah)," he has repeatedly said from the stage.
Even though it is not all suggestive that it is abusive and can instigate an abusive streak in party cadres, but now when such a situation has arisen, even experts feel dismayed by the standard of campaigning by the grand old party of India and that the BJP can use stones hurled at it as stepping stones to corner the Opposition.
Social analyst Prof NK Chowdhary said it was unfortunate that there was such a steep fall in public discourse and the Congress Party, with a rich legacy, was in the thick of controversy over language degeneration.
"There is no effort to uplift the discourse by political leaders across all parties, as they bask in false sense in temporary achievement. Targeting adversaries in the harshest possible language is possible without stooping low. "Congress should guard against it, as BJP has often proved that it is adept at using the stones hurled at it as steps. Be it 'Maut ka saudagar' or 'Chowkidaar chor hai', nothing worked for it. Constructive politics can only win over people and the Congress will do well to work on its strengths," he added....
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