Swamy rakes up row

Case registered in Guwahati, State BJP distances itself

THE FACTSHEET
*    A case has been registered against Swamy under sections 120 (b), 153 (a) and 298 of the Indian Pel Code.
*    What IPC 120 (b), 153 (a) & IPC 298 relate to: IPC 120 (b) relates to crimil conspiracy, 153 (a) relates to promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, etc., and doing acts prejudicial to maintence of harmony. IPC 298 relates to utterings, words, etc., with deliberate intent to wound the religious feelings of any person.

BY OUR STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI, March 14: BJP leader Subramanian Swamy's comments on Muslims and the land swap deal with Bangladesh have triggered a huge row in the State, with the police registering a case against him under various sections of the IPC.

The Chatra Mukti Sangram Samity has lodged an FIR at Latasil police station, citing the BJP leader's statement to jourlists at Bishnu Nirmala Bhawan in Guwahati on Friday.

“We have registered a case under sections 120 (b), 153 (a) and 298 of the Indian Pel Code. The investigating officer will examine both the complaint and the accused,” a senior police officer said.

The vocal BJP leader had arrived in the State yesterday to attend a couple of programmes.

Speaking to jourlists yesterday, Swamy had said that mosques are not religious places but mere “buildings” where one prays. “So there is no problem in demolishing them. They demolish mosques even in Saudi Arabia,” he had said.

“In Saudi Arabia, there are 20 lakh Hindus, but you are not allowed to construct a temple. You cannot carry the picture of Lord Ram or organize festivals like Diwali and other Hindu rituals,” Swamy had said, citing a “letter” he had received from the Middle East country.

The State BJP has, however, distanced itself from Swamy’s remarks, saying these were his persol views.

“We will intimate our party leadership about the controversy that has been created in the State,” State BJP president Siddhartha Bhattacharya said.

Swamy had also invited the ire of organizations by allegedly ridiculing the “sentiments” of the Assamese people on the land swap deal with Bangladesh. “Foreign policies do not rest on sentiments. There is no point weeping over it,” he had said.

The comments had sparked off a furore, with various organizations burning the BJP leader’s effigy today.

The AASU, AJYCP, KMSS and AIUDF have criticized Swamy’s statements and registered protests.

Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi also lambasted Swamy, saying the BJP will have to pay the price for his intemperate comments. “He has ignored the sentiments of the Assamese people. The BJP will have to pay its price,” Gogoi said.