Now, BJP minister Jayant Sinha regrets garlanding lynching convicts
At the center of the storm for garlanding lynching convicts in Jharkhand, Union Minister Jayant Sinha said in an interview that he regretted his action as it was interpreted that he supported violence. Sinha, Union minister of state for civil aviation, garlanded eight convicts who were escorted by local BJP leader Amardeep Yadav, earlier this month. Photos of the meeting invited flak for BJP.
Sinha garlanded convicts who allegedly killed meat trader
In June 2017, 11 men including a BJP leader, allegedly lynched meat trader Alimuddin Ansari on suspicion of cow smuggling in Ramgarh. While Ansari lay dying on the road, his car was set on fire. More recently, the Jharkhand High Court suspended life sentences of the convicts and released them on bail, after which the minister welcomed them warmly. His actions were termed despicable.
Welcomed them as had legally assisted them: Sinha
Speaking about the welcome, Sinha said the meeting was a private one and he met the men as he had legally assisted them in the case. He said he condemned violence and his meeting was misrepresented. He further added the 'outrage factory' manufactured a narrative and didn't rely on facts but served ideological ends. "That is toxic," he quipped.
Notably, the men weren't acquitted yet Sinha feted them
When Sinha was reminded the court didn't squash charges against the men, the minister said, "I regret garlanding them because it gave an opportunity to say I was condoning vigilantism." He added the men were given a fair chance by the court, and that there wasn't any evidence against them. "My intention was to ensure everyone got justice," said Sinha.
Was not doing vote-bank politics, says Sinha
Notably, men garlanded were Hindus and the victim a Muslim, and Sinha was accused of doing vote bank politics. "This is wrong. Many Muslims have come to me, to my home, and asked me to help them get justice, and I have helped them," said Sinha and added he practised politics of performance and development. He said he would have helped victim's widow too.
Like other BJP leaders, Sinha too equated lynching with riots
Recently, many BJP leaders spoke about 1984 anti-Sikh riots when asked about mob-violence and Sinha repeated the same. "Take Bengal, Kerala, or Karnataka today; or take 1984 (anti-Sikh riots in Delhi). They themselves have encouraged this kind of mob violence," Sinha said. Then he said the 'outrage factory' began spewing venom around intolerance when elections approached.
Our government follows the Constitution, claims Sinha
Sinha was also asked if BJP's ideology ended up promoting hate politics, and he answered in the negative. "The PM himself has said that he has only religion - India - and one holy book - the Constitution," he said. On a related note, Rajnath Singh and PM Modi asked states to act against mob violence.
