Bhagalpur: An FIR has been registered on Monday against the son of Ashwini Kumar Choubey, the Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare. Arijit Shashwat and others have been booked in connection with a communal clash that broke in Bihar’s Bhagalpur.
Shashwat had led a procession organised by Bharatiya Navvarsh Jagran Samiti on the eve of Hindu New Year, comprising workers of BJP, RSS and Bajrang Dal that triggered a communal clash in Nathnagar area of Bhagalpur on Saturday. The area remained closed on Sunday and paramilitary forces were also deployed due to tension in the area.
The procession passed through a 15-km route passing through several Muslim-dominated areas. The clash reportedly ignited in Medni Chowk, a Muslim dominated area, after there occurred stone pelting on the procession. Three policemen got injured in the inter-community clash. Internet services also have been suspended in the area.
Shashwat denied allegations of raising slogans, while his minister father said, “I am proud that Arijit is my son. All BJP workers are like my son. Is there anything wrong in leading a procession to celebrate the Hindu New Year? Is it wrong to talk about Bharat Ma? Is it a crime to say Vande Mataram?”
With agency inputs