BJP sacks J&K secretary booked for 'hurting religious sentiments'

The Jammu and Kashmir police registered a case against senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader Vikram Randhawa in Jammu on Tuesday for hurting the sentiments of Muslims in the wake of Pakistan cricket team's win against India in the ongoing T-20 cricket world cup.

The BJP's J&K unit removed the former legislator, who was working as the party's secretary in J&K, from all party responsibilities and posts in the Union Territory and issued a show cause notice to him as well.

The first information report was registered at Bahu Fort police station of Jammu, after advocate Muzaffar Ali Shah filed a written complaint against Randhawa, who was allegedly videotaped while calling for violence against Muslims in Kashmir and exhorting people to thrash Muslims of Kashmir and skin them alive.


The police booked the BJP leader for hurting religious sentiments and promoting enmity between religious groups under sections 295-A and 505 (2) of India Penal Code.

Randhawa's video was allegedly shot after reports and videos of celebrations of Pakistan's win against India in the T-20 world cup in the Kashmir Valley were circulated on social media. "They (students who allegedly cheered for Pakistan) praise Pakistan and love for Pakistan ignites their veins... We demand that their degrees be cancelled and even citizenship should be revoked. They should be skinned alive," Randhawa was seen saying in the video.

The former BJP legislator also questioned why people in Kashmir did not celebrate Pakistan's win over New Zealand and used a slur against the Muslim community. "They divorced their women over phone, so why aren't they offering prayers on WhatsApp also. Why are they bending and occupying the roads?" he said.

The video triggered a reaction across the political spectrum, with even the BJP calling it "reckless and undisciplined".