A 30-year-old local BJP leader in Uttar Pradesh’s Hathras has been booked for allegedly beating up a group of Kanwariyas who, according to him, were “Muslims dressed up in saffron robe” and for ripping the uniform of a police officer on Sunday night, the police said. According to the police, the incident occurred at a petrol pump where the eight-member religious group from Madhya Pradesh, on their way back from Haridwar, was resting on Sunday night. Gajendra Rana, vice-president of BJP youth wing unit in Hathras, reached there allegedly in an inebriated state and asked them to leave. Rana claimed that they were fake Kanwar devotees as the month of Sawan was over. “He alleged that we were Muslims disguised as Kanwariyas in saffron robes. He started to repeatedly thrash us despite showing him our Aadhaar cards. We were on our way to our village after collecting the Holy water from Haridwar. We decided to take the night halt at the petrol pump at Hathras when the unfortunate incident happened,” said Santosh Sharma, who was leading the group of Kanwariyas. The resident of Morena district has lodged a complaint at the Chandpa Kotwali police station in Hathras. Following the assault, the pilgrims called up the police and when the officials reached the spot, Rana who claimed to have political influence allegedly misbehaved with them and reportedly ripped the uniform of an officer. However, when Rana was brought to Chandpa police station, a large number of BJP leaders reached the station in support of Rana. The police later released Rana after registering a case against him. “We have lodged the FIR in this connection. Action against Rana will be taken once our investigation is over,” said Himanshu Mathur, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Sadabad in Hathras. Meanwhile, the devotees resumed their journey to Madhya Pradesh on Monday afternoon. Anurag Agnihotri, BJP youth wing president of Hathras unit, has termed the Sunday night as unfortunate. “We have briefed the party top brass in Lucknow about the incident and the party will decide Rana’s fate for his violent behaviour towards Kanwariyas and the police,” he said.
