UP police files chargesheet against BJP President Amit Shah: Reasons Explained

Lucknow, September 10: BJP President Amit Shah who led- the election campaign in Uttar Pradesh, during this year's Lok Sabha elections, was on Wednesday charge-sheeted by the state police, in connection with his hate speech in April.

According to reports, communally-sensitive Muzaffarnagar police filed a charge sheet against 53-year-old Shah's alleged hate speech, two days before the state is scheduled to hold by-polls.

What Amit Shah said in April?

The controversial hate speech was deleivered by Shah on April 4 in Muzaffarnagar, Shamli and Bijnore areas of western Uttar Pradesh, during Lok Sabha election campaigns.

"This election is about voting out the government that protects and gives compensation to those who killed Jats. It is about badla (revenge) and protecting izzat (honour)", said Shah in a Muzaffarnagar rally, who was accompanied by BJP MP Suresh Rana.

How BJP defended Shah?

BJP President Rajnath Singh along with other party leaders claimed that there were "nothing wrong" in Shah's statement. BJP leaders also claimed that it might be a case of political conspiracy.

"BJP would respectfully urge the EC to review its order and we trust that an appropriate hearing and consideration shall be given to the reply to the show cause to be filed by Shah within the time stipulated by the Commission," senior BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad had said.

How Congress reacted on Shah's statement?

The Congress sought his arrest and asked the panel to ban him from campaigning for "creating animosity between communities" in western Uttar Pradesh.

The party also demanded "stern action" against the BJP and Modi, including derecognition of the party, for the alleged violation of the model code of conduct.

"Shah's rank communal remark shows that BJP does not understand the idea of India and its agenda is to divide communities and get votes. That it the only agenda of this communal party of India," Congress party spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi had said.

How AAP reacted on Shah's statement?

"The EC should not allow such elements to create hatred at such a sensitive juncture, when the country is in the midst of a general election. The remarks openly incite people of one community to take revenge against another religious community and cannot be allowed to go unpunished.

"It should immediately order registration of a criminal case against the BJP's national general secretary Amit Shah for his inflammatory remarks aimed at spreading communal hatred," the AAP said in a statement.

What legal action taken against Shah?

Two days after Amit Shah delivered a hate speech, laced with communal tones, Bijnor police had filed two FIRs against him on April 6.

He was booked under Section 153(A) of the Indian Penal Code and Section 125 of the Representation of the People Act.

Election Commission's action against Shah

On April 11,the Election Commission had banned Shah from holding public meetings, processions or roadshows in Uttar Pradesh and asked authorities to initiate criminal proceedings against him.

The EC had also directed the UP Chief Secretary to ensure no act of commission or omission is resorted to by Shah that can affect public tranquillity and law and order.

Election authorities in Uttar Pradesh had sent the CD of the controversial remarks by Amit Shah along with the report of District Election Officer to the Election Commission.

It asked the BJP leader to explain within three days as to why action should not be initiated against him for violating the model code through his speeches

What was Shah's reply to the EC notice?

Shah had urged the Election Commission to reconsider its notice to him for his alleged "revenge" remarks, claiming the statement was not recorded in the right perspective.

In his reply to the EC, Shah denied having made any "revenge" remarks in his speech in western Uttar Pradesh and said he had not violated the Model Code of Conduct. He had also sought a copy of the CD of his speech from the poll body.

The BJP and Shah also denied having used the word "revenge" in his speech and charged the administration in Uttar Pradesh with working under Samajwadi Party government's influence for putting non-existent words such as 'badla' (revenge) in his mouth.

OneIndia News