There have been questions about the legality of demolition of properties of those allegedly involved in the communal clashes that erupted on Ram Navami day in Khargone of Madhya Pradesh even before their guilt was established. However, the BJP government in the state has said that it will continue with the action.
At a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan to review the law and order situation with respect to Khargone, it was decided to continue demolition of properties of those identified as rioters from the available videos of the clashes that occurred on Sunday.
The stand of the MP government came even as Congress leader Rahul Gandhi tweeted to criticise the action, though without direct reference to Madhya Pradesh. “People of the country are being suffocated by price rise and unemployment. Government should bulldoze these problems of the people. But BJP’s bulldozer is ridden by hate and horror,” Gandhi said.
Chouhan has taken an aggressive stand on ‘bulldozer action’ on anti-social elements and criminals since the past few weeks and has earned himself the sobriquet of ‘Bulldozer Mama’ on the lines of Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who is known as ‘Bulldozer Baba’. Though action of razing of properties of criminals was taken by the BJP government in MP earlier too, the line of action seemed to have become aggressive after the UP poll results.
Time and again, questions have been raised on the justification and legality of such demolitions without the accused being proved guilty in the courts. However, the state government maintains that the demolished properties were encroachments or illegally constructed. Questions have also been asked as to why action is not taken against the encroachments before owner of the property engaged in criminal activity. Chouhan has, however, continued to maintain his aggressive stance.
On Tuesday too, the chief minister said during the meeting that stringent action is being taken against the rioters. “I will not tolerate anyone who conspires to spread riots in the state,” Chouhan said during the meeting, the CM's Office said on Twitter.
Later, Chouhan tweeted to inform that 95 persons had been arrested till now in the matter. “Rioters have been identified from the videos (of the incident). A huge police force along with 4 IPS officers, 15 DSPs and a RAF (Rapid Action Force) company is posted in Khargone,” Chouhan said.
Home Minister Narottam Mishra, who was also present at the meeting, later confirmed to mediapersons that the demolition drive against rioters would continue on Tuesday too. He said that there was rule of law in Madhya Pradesh and anyone trying to play with this will face consequences.
On Monday, the Khargone district administration razed 49 properties including homes and shops belonging to alleged rioters that were allegedly constructed illegally. The demolition drive had come within hours of CM Chouhan talking of stringent action against those involved in the riots.
However, the fact that the demolition drive came without any prior legal process, and seemed to target properties of one community, led to a lot of criticism on social media and sections of politicians—including Congress Rajya Sabha member Digvijaya Singh and AIMIM’s Asad Owaisi.
Digvijaya Singh had asked on Twitter on Monday whether it was proper to declare someone guilty and initiate action against them without any probe (with reference to the demolition drive). He further tweeted on Tuesday to ask whether the Khargone administration had allowed carrying of arms like lathis and swords during the (Ram Navami) procession. “Will the bulldozer work on houses of all those who hurled stones irrespective of their religion? Shivraj ji, don’t forget that you’ve taken an oath to run an impartial government,” Digvijaya Singh said.
He added “Basically I am against taking action without serving... notice or hearing the parties. Does any law or rule in India have the provision of this bulldozer culture? If you have to run the bulldozer illegally, then at least don’t discriminate on the basis of religion. The Indian Constitution gives every citizen freedom to follow their religion. Action on the basis of religion, Shivraj ji, is unconstitutional.”
Questions on Kapil Mishra’s speech in Khargone
Digvijaya Singh also used a video clip showing a speech by BJP leader Kapil Mishra in Bhikangaon of Khargone on Ram Navami day and called it instigating. “Didn’t Khargone administration and police hear this speech? Isn’t this speech instigating people in the name of religion? This is a speech from a spot in Khargone. Where else did Kapil Mishra ji deliver speeches? Didn't the Khargone administration and police have information on this?” Digvijaya Singh tweeted.
Interestingly, though MP Congress chief Kamal Nath constituted a five-member committee to look into the incident and file a report to him, he remained totally silent on the issue, making no comments. Even as social media users pointed out at this silence, Narottam Mishra attacked Kamal Nath too, saying that “he (Kamal Nath) was not saying anything about pelting stones on Ram Navami procession. “The statement from Congress (spokesman) also was in favour of rioters. This exposes the actual face of [Kamal] Nath and Congress,” Mishra said.
Digvijaya may face legal trouble
Meanwhile, the MP government is likely to initiate legal action against Digvijaya Singh for his use of a ‘misleading’ photograph on social media along with tweets on the Khargone issue.
Digvijaya Singh had used a viral photograph showing a youth putting up a saffron flag on a mosque, linking it to the Khargone incident. However, he deleted it after objections were raised on misrepresentation—the photograph was from some other place.
Shivraj Singh Chouhan indicated action was possible against Digvijaya Singh as he tweeted “Digvijaya Singh has tweeted a photograph of a youth putting up saffron flag on a religious place. This is not from Madhya Pradesh. This tweet of Digvijaya Singh is a conspiracy to flare up communal frenzy in the state and push it into flames of riots. This will not be tolerated.”
Later, Narottam Mishra said that the state government was looking at legal options against Digvijaya Singh through consultations with experts.
BJP leaders have gone to the MP Nagar police station in Bhopal to file a complaint against Digvijaya Singh.
