April 13, 2014
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Lodge FIR against Amit Shah

IN a letter written to the chief election commissioner (CEC) of the Election Commission of India (EC), on April 7, the CPI(M) has brought to his notice the hate speeches being made by Amit Shah, a close aide of the BJP's prime ministerial candidate, Narendra Modi, and the BJP’s poll manager in Uttar Pradesh. To substantiate its charge, the CPI(M) has, along with its letter, enclosed the following: 1) The original footage (in the pen drive that was submitted) of meetings in two places --- at Jat Sabha in Raja Rani Banquet Hall of Shamali town, on April 3, and in Raajhara village of Shamli district (Uttar Pradesh) on the same day. The pen drive also contained extracts of the inflammatory speeches made at the above meetings. 2) An annexure with transcripts of the above clips. According to the clips submitted by the CPI(M), at the meeting of the Jat Sabha in Raja Rani Banquet Hall of Shamli town, Amit Shah said the following on April 3: "The election in Uttar Pradesh, especially in western Uttar Pradesh, is an election for honour, for seeking revenge for the insult, and for teaching a lesson to those who committed injustice." He also justified the Muzaffarnagar riots, claiming that it was for the “security” and “honour of women.” Amit Shah also said: "This not just another election. This is the time to avenge the insult meted out to our community. This election will be a reply to those who have been ill treating our mothers and sisters." Here is yet another sample of the venom Shah spit out: “People who were beggars have become arabpatis (billionaires) by running butcherkhanas (abettoirs). The BJP is going to stop this. Please understand what it means.” In Raajhara village of Shamli district, he is seen making the following comment on the same date (April 3): "A man can live without food or sleep. He can live when he is thirsty and hungry. But when he is insulted, he can't live. We must seek revenge for the insult heaped on us."   The CPI(M) stressed that not only were these speeches in violation of the Model Code of Conduct but also a criminal act --- spreading hatred between communities.  The CPI(M) therefore demanded the following: 1) Amit Shah should be barred from addressing any meetings. 2) An FIR must be immediately lodged by the Election Commission against Amit Shah and others who are identified in the footage as making hate speeches.