Prithviraj Chavan gets threat mail after demanding arrest of Bhide, questions PM’s silence
On Friday, Chavan had raised the issue of alleged derogatory comments about Mahatma Gandhi and his mother by Bhide, questioning the silence of the state government in the Assembly.
Former chief minister and Congress leader Prithviraj Chavan. (Express Photo by Prashant Nadkar)
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Senior Congress leader and former Maharashtra chief minister Prithviraj Chavan, who received a threat mail for demanding the arrest of Hindutva activist Sambhaji Bhide over his derogatory remarks against Mahatma Gandhi, on Sunday questioned the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s silence on the issue.
“Our Father of the Nation has been insulted by a Hindutva activist. Despite this, the PM has not spoken a word. He has neither condemned it nor asked the Maharashtra Government to act against the man,” Chavan told The Indian Express.
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Last week, Chavan raised the issue in the State Assembly and demanded the arrest of Sambhaji Bhide, who heads Shiv Pratishthan, a Hindutva outfit, over his derogatory remarks made at a function in Amravati. Chief Minister Eknath Shinde promised action after an investigation. Chavan said, “The PM’s silence will mean that Bhide has the backing of BJP… it means he and his party show respect to the Mahatma only to suit their political ends.”
Claiming that Bhide has committed an offence under the Indian Penal Code, Chavan said, “He has tried to create enmity between communities and parties and should be booked under Section 153 (A) of the IPC. When Rahul Gandhi made a comment, he was sentenced to two years in jail. Bhide’s is a more serious crime.”
Reacting to Chavan’s demand, BJP state spokesperson Keshav Upadhaye, said, “Bhide is not a BJP member. The CM and Dy CM have already said that appropriate legal action will be taken against him.”
Chavan’s office said they received an email, threatening to harm the former CM. “An email was sent to him threatening with deadly consequences for speaking against Bhide. A police complaint has been filed with Karad city police station and the security has been beefed up at his residence,” said Chavan’s office.
Reacting to the threat, Chavan said, “I received at least two calls. The callers tried to argue with me over why I demanded Bhide’s arrest. We are all for free speech. They can push their ideology but we won’t tolerate character assassination of the Mahatma. We won’t allow them to provoke the two communities against each other.” Earlier, an FIR was registered under sections 153 A (promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language etc. and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony) and 505-2 (making, publishing or circulating any statement, rumour or report) of the IPC at Rajapeth police station in Amravati against Bhide.
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