Election Commission issues notice to Amit Shah over hate speech

NEW DELHI: The EC on Monday issued a notice to BJP leader and Narendra Modi’s aide Amit Shah for his alleged hate speeches in riotaffected districts of Uttar Pradesh last week.

The notice, issued for prima facie violation of the model code of conduct, comes a day after the district election offices of Shamli and Bijnor filed a first information report against Shah for spreading enmity based on caste and religion.

While campaigning in Shamli on Thursday, Shah had said that the general election, especially in western UP, “is one of honour, it is an opportunity to take revenge and to teach a lesson to people who have committed injustice”.

A day later while addressing a predominantly Jat gathering in Bijnore, he said, “Mayawati, to appease a community that oppresses you and rapes your women, gave its members 19 poll tickets... You tell me, can we raise our honour by mingling with a community that kills our men, our youth?” He further said, “When Modi becomes PM, Mullah (Muslim cleric) Mulayam’s government in UP would fall on its own the very next day.”

Shah is in charge of BJP’s campaign in UP. The EC has given him time until April 9 to explain his speeches.