BJP leader Chaudhary Babulal threatens to trigger communal riots after SP, BJP workers clashed in Fatehpur Sikri

Agra/ Fatehpur Sikri: BJP’s candidate from Fatehpuri Sikri, Chaudhary Babulal’s supporters were thrashed and the matter escalated and was reported to the local police. Displeased over police’s inaction, Babulal threatened to trigger communal clashes if prompt and appropriate action is not taken. On Saturday clashes broke out between the workers of SP and BJP in the cities of Ferozabad and Fatehpur Sikri later on Sunday night both the party workers clashed again outside Shamshabad police station. During the conflict a BJP leader was severely injured, BJP alleged that police took no action against the culprits, the village is sitting on the tinderbox and the emotions are running high. After the clashes broke out Chaudhary Babulal announced that he will trigger similar events as the ones that took place two decades ago in Panwari village situated close to Agra. After BAbulal’s statement Agra SSP, Shulabh Mathur reported the case to the Election Commission, in his complaint SSP stated that Babulal is trying to instigate violence. Chaudhary Babulal’s supporters were brutally thrashed on Saturday, subsequent to which BJP and Samajwadi Party leaders registered money laundering cases against each other. On Sunday night Babulal was informed that a BJP worker, Devender Singh has been arrested by the police under SP’s pressure, when Babulal reached the location he was manhandled, even the BJP District president Sonu Chaudhary was brutally beaten and injured. The incident compelled the BJP workers to sit on a dharna, they demanded the suspension of the SHO of the police station. SP of the region said that to suspend the SHO, permission from Election Commission is required. BJP gave the police authorities time until April 28 and on failure to take action, Babulal threatened to launch a ‘gherao’ on April 29. Two decades ago, Panwari Village situated close to Agra witnessed communal riots which had claimed lives of over hundred people and army’s help was taken to stabilise the situation, numerous families migrated from the village post the clashes. Chaudhary Babulal had gained prominence after these riots; he is contesting the Lok Sabha Elections on BJP’s ticket from Fatehpur Sikri. BJP’s state president, Laxmikant Vajpayee stated that the party will not endorse his statement and will not support him in the ongoing elections if Babulal has threatened to instigate communal clashes. He further stated that the party condemns any such statement and if Election Commission initiates an action into the incident, BJP will follow the EC’s orders.