Social activist Swami Agnivesh was roughed up allegedly by activists of Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha at Pakur in Jharkhand on Tuesday. Chief Minister Raghubar Das has ordered a probe into the incident.
Agnivesh was in the district to attend an event when the mob showed black flags and raised slogans against him. The 80-year-old activist alleged that there was no police presence at the venue.
“Even when I repeatedly called the SP and the DM, they didn't turn up. I was told that the ABVP and the BJP Yuva Morcha workers want to protest. I told them there's no need to protest, they can come in and talk. No one came in at that time,” he said.
Agnivesh demanded that the attackers be identified from video footage and action be taken against them.
“I want that they be identified from CCTV footage and video available with media, and action be taken against them,” he said.
Reports said the police have already detained 20 people.
The BJP condemned the attack and denied involvement of party workers in the incident. The party, however, added that considering Agnivesh's “track record”, the attack was not a surprise.
“They were not workers of our party. We condemn this but his track record is such that this reaction doesn't come as surprise. Pakur has recently been in news for religious conversion,” P. Shahdeo, Jharkhand BJP spokesperson, said.