Protest at Jantar Mantar against Katheria remarks

New Delhi, Mar 1: A group of social activists on Tuesday, March 1 held a protest at Jantar Mantar here against alleged hate speech made by Union Minister Ram Shankar Katheria against minority community members at a condolence meet in Agra after the murder of a local VHP leader.

The social activists also appealed to the President to "dismiss" Katheria, Union Minister of State for HRD, for his alleged "hate speech" against minority community members while addressing a condolence meeting for VHP worker Arun Mahaur, who was shot dead on February 25.

Condemning the murder of Mahaur, the social activists alleged Hindutva leaders are using it to spread "venom" against the minority community.

"Several leaders of BJP, VHP and Bajrang Dal, including Katheria and Fatehpur Sikri MP Babu Lal, attended the condolence meeting of Mahaur on February and delivered hate speeches," said Shabnam Hashmi, Founding trustee of Anhad which organised the protest.

Hashmi said the social activists have written a letter to the President appealing him to "dismiss" the minister and advise the government to take immediate action against those giving hate speeches and creating "an atmosphere of intimidation and insecurity" in the country.

Dr Syeda Hamid, Navid Hamid, John Dayal, Sajjad Poonawala and many other social activists attended the protest.

PTI