Image Courtesy:hindustantimes.com
Shikhar Agarwal, allegedly a key suspect in the 2018 mob violence which led to the death of Police Inspector Subodh Kumar Singh in Uttar Pradesh’s Bulandshahr, has been expelled from the Pradhan Mantri Jan Kalyankari Yojna Jagrukta Abhiyan (PMJKYJA) after public outrage, the Hindustan Times reported.
Agarwal’s expulsion reportedly came after his photograph with a BJP leader went viral on social media. It was reported that Agarwal, who was out on bail was promoted to the District General Secretary of the scheme. He was purportedly being felicitated by Bulandshahr BJP President Anil Sisodia at the event on July 14, 2020.
Nineteen months after violence where inspector Subodh Kumar Singh was brutally murdered, One of the key accused Shikhar Agarwal who was arrested for Bulandshahr violence (now out on bail) is promoted as District General Secretary of PM Jankalyankari Yojna Jagrukta Abhiyan ? https://t.co/9NlsT4uNyL pic.twitter.com/9WNOGOPrN3
— Mohammed Zubair (@zoo_bear) July 18, 2020
Remember 2018 Bulandshahar violence where UP police inspector Subodh Kumar was murdered? One of the accused Shikhar Agarwal was made dist gen sec of “Pradhanmantri Jan Kalyankari Yojana jagrukta abhiyan” & was handed out letter by Bulandshahar BJP prez Anil Sisodia at a function. pic.twitter.com/9DO71ACVUE
— Piyush Rai (@Benarasiyaa) July 18, 2020
BJP denies knowing Agarwal; distances itself from PM scheme
Speaking about Agarwal, Praiyatam Kumar Prem, the District President of the PMJKYJA told Hindustan Times that he got to know that Agarwal was an accused in the matter from the media, adding that the matter was discussed with the organization’s senior officials and that Agarwal had been expelled and was no more associated with the organization.
Prem also said that Sisodia was present at the function as a chief guest and the PMJKYJA did not have links with the party. However, Hindustan Times reported that the advisory panel overseeing the implementation of the PM’s welfare schemes included senior BJP leaders like Shyam Jaju, Ramesh Pokhariyal Nishank, Narendra Tomar, Giriraj Singh and Dharmendra Pradhan, among others.
Sisodia too issued a clarification stating the same, saying that BJP did not have links with the organization and did not know who Agarwal was.
Update : the @BJP4UP bulandshahr chief Mr Sisodia has reacted to the photo controversy . Bottomline – ‘i did not know who shikhar agarwal was main to bas chala gaya’ . Surely a public figure should do better , Mr Sisodia … pic.twitter.com/uU7cbvW4dD
— Alok Pandey (@alok_pandey) July 18, 2020
Yatendra Kumar Sen, Western UP Chief of the PMJKYJA too claimed that he wasn’t aware that Agarwal was out on bail, News 18 reported. The channel reported him as saying, “First of all I would like to make it clear that BJP and our organisation are not connected to each other in any way. We are an organisation who handle welfare schemes run by the central government. We have on board seven cabinet ministers and BJP National Vice President Shyam Jaju in our organisation. The BJP district chief was present in the programme as a guest and that is why he was handing over the appointment letter. The committee wasn’t aware of the fact that Shikhar Agarwal was out on bail and I thank the media for clarifying the situation. I have appraised our senior leaders of the situation.”
One, Aneet Kaushik who identified himself as the president of the organization told The Hindu that the letter given to Mr. Agarwal was a fake as they didn’t give individual letters to volunteers, adding that someone had misused their popularity.
Agarwal says party gave him opportunity
On the other hand, Shikhar Agarwal said that the party (BJP) gave him the post on basis of his dedication and service towards the people, and the PMJKYJA heads Priyatam Kumar Prem and Dr. Yatendra Kumar Sen had awarded him the post. He added that it was now his responsibility to go door-to-door and make people aware of the schemes laid out by PM Modi.
I was selected for the post on the basis of my dedication, style of work and my public image ?, said Shikhar Agarwal, accused of conspiracy in the murder of Inspector Subodh Kumar Singh in 2018. https://t.co/AdfOFvNs3G pic.twitter.com/AWTX9d1P8Q
— Saurabh Trivedi (@saurabh3vedi) July 18, 2020
The Hindu also reported him as saying that the photographs were self-explanatory and he had no problems if some people wanted to disown them. “I am not facing trial for murder in the case and am out on bail. If during this period, I want to contribute to society, what’s wrong,” said Agarwal reported The Hindu.
On December 3, 2018, Police Inspector Subodh Kumar Singh (44) had been killed in mob violence that erupted near the Chingrawathi police post allegedly after cattle carcasses were found strewn near Mahaw village where lakhs of people had gathered for a ‘Tabligi Ijtema’. An FIR against 27 named people and 50 to 60 unidentified people was registered at the Siyana Police Station. Agarwal was one of the six accused who had been arrested in the matter.
SabrangIndia’s exclusive investigation had revealed how ‘social media’ had been used to plot the killing. Videos of the accused being released emerged on Facebook and social media which showed the crowd chanting ‘Jai Shri Ram’ while welcoming Shikhar Agarwal and other accused with garlands and flowers.
Seven accused in Bulandshahr violence, where an inspector was killed by a mob last year, were released on bail recently. The accused including one of the key conspirators Shikhar Agarwal got hero’s welcome amid sloganeering of “Jai Shree Ram” and “Vande Mataram”. pic.twitter.com/iAA122cdU5
— Piyush Rai (@Benarasiyaa) August 25, 2019
Now, with all the evidence in place, are the denials by the BJP and PMJKYJA authorities just a face-saving measure?
Related:
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Kill me if Govt can’t imprison Criminals: Widow of Bulandshahr Cop, Subodh Kumar
Rewarded with Bail, Seven Accused of Bulandshahr violence get Hero’s welcome