Pakur, Jul 17: A group of self-proclaimed saviors of Hindutva have brutally attacked prominent social activist and progressive seer Swami Agnivesh in Pakur district of Jharkhand.
The attack took place when Agnivesh visited Littipara of Pakur district to take part in an event. According to the victim, the assailants were the activists of BJP Yuva Morcha and Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad.
“As soon as I came out of the venue, BJYM and ABVP activists attacked me without any provocation. They alleged that I was speaking against Hindus,” said.
“I thought Jharkhand was a peaceful state, but my views have changed after this incident,” he added.
The alleged BJP workers had shown black flags and raised slogans against him. The activist had offered a dialogue, but got abuses in return. He was kicked and pushed to the ground. The assailants were chanting "Jai Sri Ram" as they thrashed the 79-year-old activist.
A video of the alleged attack with a large crowd thrashing the social activist and his supporters is doing the rounds on social media.
Chief Minister Raghubar Das has asked the police to thoroughly investigate the incident.
"I am against any sort of violence. I am known as a peace-loving person. I don't know why I was attacked," Agnivesh said. He said there were no policemen around even though the protesters had gathered outside his hotel.
"I had offered to hold a dialogue with them. But nobody came to speak to me. I was going to a sammelan (seminar) with my tribal friends when they launched an attack. They were carrying black flags and without any warning pounced on me. They punched, kicked and dragged me on the ground. They also used cuss words," he said.
The activist likened the attack to mob lynchings that have been reported in several states in the past one year. In all the cases, the blood-hungry mobs had consumed rumours on social media, especially WhatsApp, about cow smuggling and presence of child kidnappers in their area.
"I pleaded with them with folded hands... But they didn't think it was necessary to tell me why they were raining blows on me. They just went on and on," Swami Agnivesh said.
Swami Agnivesh was rushed to hospital where doctors are running tests on him. He says that the stone that missed his head landed on his ribs and he is in immense pain.
The attack appears to be pre-meditated, police said. They have detained 20 men and are sifting through the CCTV footage before making further arrests.
However, Jharkhand BJP spokesperson P Shahdeo said, “They weren’t 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.”
Comments
It is CLEAR that many HINDUS never read the VEDAS and their Scriptures... The one who know VEDAS are speaking against the attrocites of the Bajrang dal and other such cheddi groups. Cos God doesnt like Violence... I think most of the ignorant HINDUS who doesnt know the VEDAS are SILENT but they want to call themsleves HINDUS and patriot... Shame on such hindus who doesnt recognize the TRUE HINDU teachings and join hands with the Decievers of true hindu religion. READ and know your Enemy B4 they control U (one case is by demonitisation)
Add new comment