Monitoring Desk
NEW DELHI: A group of around 103 former bureaucrats has criticized BJP MP Pragya Singh Thakur for an alleged hate speech in Karnataka state in which she urged Hindu believers to “keep weapons” at home. The group has demanded action from the Speaker of the Lok Sabha and the Committee of Ethics.
MP Pragya Thakur from Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh province was reportedly named in a police case after she allegedly made incendiary remarks against Muslim believers while speaking at a convention of a Hindu group in Shivamogga.
“Muslims have a tradition of jihad; if nothing Muslims do Love Jihad,” she had said. “Answer those involved in Love for Jihad, Protect your girls, teach girls the right values.”
Pragya had further said, “Keep weapons in your homes, if nothing else, at least knives used to cut fruits and vegetables, sharp… I do not know what situation will arise when Everyone has the right to self-protection.”
BJP leader asks Hindus to keep knives
The former bureaucrats’ letter says she appears to have “cleverly chosen her words to escape criminal charges”, as her speech may be seen as asking only for “self-defence”.
The letter alleges that she was “clearly telling her Hindu audience that they had to be fearful of attacks from non-Hindus”, though she avoided using the word ‘Muslim’.
Signatories include SP Ambrose, who served as additional secretary in the union ministry of transport; Anita Agnihotri, former secretary in the central government’s department of social justice; and Salahuddin Ahmad, a former chief secretary, Rajasthan.
It also mentions a petition asking the Speaker of the Lok Sabha to disqualify her as MP. “We, in the Constitutional Conduct Group, also strongly believe that stern action should be taken against her as per the rules of the Lok Sabha,” it adds.
It observes that society seems to have become “inured to hate speech” against minorities especially Muslims.
