NCP demands resignation of Union minister Katheria for inflammatory speech in Agra

NEW DELHI: NCP chief Sharad Pawar has blamed Narendra Modi-led BJP government for creating an atmosphere of fear and triggering incidents like Dalit scholar Rohith Vemula’s suicide and JNU row.

“Communal forces are being strengthened to create an atmosphere of fear in the country. It is not limited to universities. You will find several examples all across the country,” Pawar said wading into the controversy on sedition and nationalism. Speaking at a press conference at NCP headquarters in the capital, Pawar said such incidents have increased since BJP has come to power.

Pawar even lashed out at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for not speaking on these issues. “All these issues – where people are attacked, their freedom of speech and expression curtailed – Prime Minister never speaks on them. These issues never find a place in his Mann ki Baat,” Pawar said.

NCP also demanded the resignation of Union minister Ram Shankar Katheria who has been in the eye of storm over his alleged inflammatory remarks at a public meeting in Agra.

Katheria had allegedly said at a prayer meeting for murdered Vishwa Hindu Parishad activist Arun Mahaur on Sunday: “All of this that is happening to the youth in this country, the conspiracies against the Hindu community...We will have to get strong and fight this conflict...Today, one Arun has died, tomorrow another Arun will die...before the second Arun dies (his) killers should go.”

Though Katheria has denied these remarks, Opposition parties have demanded his resignation. NCP’s working committee passed a resolution demanding the Union minister be sacked. When pointed out that Katheria has denied making such remarks, Pawar said, “We even consulted out colleagues from that area. They have confirmed this and said that there were a series of lectures and statements by speakers in that prayer meeting.”