Social Activist Swami Agnivesh was beaten up allegedly by the BJP Yuva Morcha workers in Jharkhand’s Pakur district yesterday. The BJP workers displayed black flags and raised slogans against him.
By this time most of us are aware that Monsoon Session of Parliament has begun. In both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha key bills are being listed and about to be discussed. Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan and Rajya Sabha Chairman Venkaiah Naidu have appealed to all political parties and MPs to stop blaming each other and ensure that Parliament functions without unnecessary disruptions.
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While the Session was being carried out in Lok Sabha, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor lambasted Modi government on issues of mob lynching and women’s safety. He said, “Take action against anti-national, anti-Indian elements.” He added, “It (attack on his office) wasn’t only an attack on constitutionally provided office but larger attempt by ruling party to destroy idea of India and accepting pluralism. Swami Agnivesh was also attacked. We shouldn’t stand by as mob lynching and hooliganism ruled democracy.”
BJP Jharkhand minister CP Singh replied, “As far as I know, Swami Agnivesh is a person who survives on foreign donations. The saffron dress that he wears is to deceive the simple Indians. He is a fraud and not a swami. He had himself planned this attack to gain popularity.”
Besides manhandling Agnivesh, the attackers also tore his clothes. Local reports say that the BJP workers were protesting against his visit to the region.
Though in an interview with NDTV, Agnivesh said, “I am against any sort of violence. I am known as a peace- loving person. I don’t know why I was attacked.”
Also Read: Shashi Tharoor: ‘Take action against anti-national, anti-Indian elements’