Patna: A second Union Minister, Giriraj Singh, has landed in a controversy after a show of support for a set of riots-accused leaders, whom he visited at a jail in Bihar’s Nawada. Singh met the jailed right-wing leaders on Saturday, days after his cabinet colleague Jayant Sinha was photographed felicitating eight men held guilty of killing a meat trader in the name of cow protection in neighbouring Jharkhand.
Singh also met the family of an accused of clashes in Nawada that took place after an idol was vandalised in March. “They’ve always helped maintain peace in all situations. How can you call them rioters? The administration should see if they really incited violence,” he said.
After the Ram Navmi clashes of April 2017, the police lodged cases against some leaders in several districts. Bajrang Dal’s Jitendra Pratap and VHP’s Kailash Vishwakarma were arrested four days ago for their alleged role in the clashes.
The BJP has already expressed its unhappiness over the crackdown on scores of leaders over the violence that started after religious posters were found torn. After the visit, Singh attacked the Nitish Kumar government, accusing it of witch-hunt.
“It seems to have been ingrained in the administration and government that there can only be communal harmony if Hindus are oppressed and it is unfortunate. I appeal to the administration and the society that they forget this view,” he added.
Jayant Sinha has been battling a controversy after photographs emerged last week that showed him garlanding men who received life sentences for the murder of a 55-year-old meat trader in June last year. The men were taken to meet Sinha after their sentences were suspended and they were released on bail.
Sinha, who has since been under an unsparing opposition attack, said he condemns violence and rejects vigilantism, but has “misgivings” about the fast-track court verdict.
