Opposition leader Ram Govind Chowdhury alleged that the violence in Western U.P. town was a “pre-planned” conspiracy during Uttar Pradesh Assmebly proceedings. The proceedings were marred by repeated adjournments and walkout by the Opposition, demanding a probe into the Kasganj communal violence by a sitting High Court Judge.
The matter was raised during the Zero Hour and demand was supported by Congress and the BSP members.
Compensation demanded for Victim
Mr. Chowdhury also said, “I am talking with proof that shops were burnt and a particular community was targeted and the police were involved in it. The VHP, Bajrang Dal and similar organisations deliberately attacked Muslims due to which violence erupted and one person died in the firing.”
Demanding Rs. 50 lakh compensation for victim’s family and said that those affected should be compensated by the government without any discrimination.
However, his claims were refuted by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Suresh Kumar Khanna who claimed that the incident of January 26 in Kasganj was an unfortunate incident which took place because of the blocking of the way of a “TirangaYatra”
“The yatra was being taken out according to the tradition of 25 years. The way of the yatra was blocked by some persons by putting chairs… When those taking out the yatra insisted on following the same route, an argument took place leading to clashes in which Abhishek alias Chandan Gupta died. Had they been given way for the yatra, the incident would not have happened. There was no communal tension earlier. It was a government order that no new tradition is started but old practices are permitted,” he said.
Opposition Dissatisfied with Prohibitory orders
Mr. Khanna also said that it was wrong to say that police encouraged and that FIR was lodged against the accused. “The Opposition is trying to vitiate the atmosphere. We ensured that there is no reaction to this incident,” he added. He said that prohibitory orders have been enforced in Kasganj till March 10 and alleged that the “Samajwadi Party did not want peace in the State”.
This elicited a drastic reaction from the Samajwadi Party members, who rushed into the Well of the House and sat there leading to disruption. They prompted Speaker HridayNarain Dixit to adjourn the House for 10 minutes initially and later extend it. When the House met again, Mr. Khanna assured that the entire matter was being probed by SIT and no guilty would be spared. But the Opposition was not satisfied with this and staged a walk out in which SP, BSP and the Congress participated.