Home Minister Amit Shah, in both houses of the Parliament, has blamed Congress Interim President Sonia Gandhi’s hate speech resulting in Shaheen Bagh agitation next day, which culminated in Delhi riots.
“A big party at its rally said “Come out of your houses. This is a fight to the finish… doesn’t this seem like hate speech to you?” he said referring to Sonia’s speech at Ramlila Ground on December 14.
Shah also blamed AIMIM leader Waris Pathan for inciting people in the runup to the riots.
“Waris Pathan (during anti-CAA protests) said that 15 crore people could take on 100 crore people…It was after he made these communally flagrant remarks on February 19 that, on February 24, various people at eight to nine different locations started holding sit in protests and later there was violence,” he said.
Shah Ridicules Eco-System
On the allegations of state-sponsored riots, Shah ridiculed the common-sense of the left-liberal ecosystem by questioning the possibility of it during US President Donald Trump’s visit to India. “Use some common sense, how do you think we made time to cause state-sponsored riots while Prime Minister was playing host to US President Donald Trump,” he taunted.
Shah also flayed the opposition for its attempts to connect BJP’s ideology with riots since independence. On the contrary, as much as 76 per cent of people were killed in riots during Congress rule, he argued.
Taking a dig at Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, Shah said there is no need for politicising the issue over the demand for military deployment, because the AAP leader had made no such suggestion during the all-party meeting on February 25.
Delhi Chief Minister Kejriwal had sought military deployment on February 27. This has no meaning because the riots had ended on February 25 itself. However, I can understand his emotions, because, lot many (rioting) things were seized from one of his councillor’s (Tahir Hussain) house and was suspended,” he said.
Shah Clarifies On CAA, NPR
Dismissing fears of CAA and National Population Register process as divisive, Shah clarified that no document will be demanded from people during NPR. “If any information is left out, then they will not be declared ‘doubtful. You don’t need to fear the NPR process,” he said.
Replying to Kapil Sibal’s question on what happens when CAA is coupled with NPR, Shah said that no document will be required during NPR. “If one doesn’t want to give certain information, no questions will be asked. There will be no doubtful citizen marking,” Amit Shah said.
Ratan, Ankit’s Killers Arrested
Replying to the debate in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha over Northeast Delhi riots on two separate days, Shah said Delhi police has arrested the killers of IB official Ankit Sharma and head police constable Ratan Lal. “They have been arrested. There is photo, video and audio evidence of it,” he added.
The video footage sent in by people after the Delhi riots, as per government request, has helped in identifying those who engaged in violence, Shah said.
He also said police were investigating the riots and will soon find out the source of funding.
As many as 1922 suspects have been identified, over 700 FIRs have been registered in connection with Delhi violence, he added.
Shah clarified that Aadhaar ID has not been used for face identification, however, questioned about appropriateness of valuing privacy over life.
The police is identifying rioters on basis of driver’s licence and voter ID details to scientifically prove their involvement in the riots, he said.
The rioters will not be spared and brought to book, without considering their religion, caste or party, Shah said.
Action Against Guilty Social Media Account Holders
The government will bring to book the owners of some social media accounts that started two days before the riots and deactivated on February 25, Shah said. “These accounts only functioned to spread hatred. Their owners must be thinking that they are safe but this is digital age and we will find them and present them before law,” he said.
Shah also said as many as 50 serious cases of murder, attacks on religious places, hospitals and educational institutions, have been handed over to three SITs.
He said five persons have been arrested for distributing foreign money. “We had information prior to February 24 that foreign money had been distributed; 5 persons have been arrested for the crime,” he said.
Shah said fear of law in rioters will be struck in such a manner that the rioters will think hard to indulge in such mayhem in future.
“Scientific methods and proper procedures set by IPC will be followed to bring the culprits of Delhi riots to justice,” he added.