Kejriwal’s radio ad blames ‘poisonous’ netas for communal riots

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal waded into the debate over the lynching of a man in Bisada over rumours that he slaughtered a cow, hitting out at “poisonous” politicians for instigating riots.

Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Wednesday waded into the debate over the lynching of a man in Bisada village of Uttar Pradesh over rumours that he slaughtered a cow, hitting out at “poisonous” politicians for instigating riots and flaring tensions.

Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal. (HT Photo)

In a radio spot, an audio clip of which was circulated by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Kejriwal is heard criticising political parties for the lynching of 55-year-old Mohammed Ikhlaq by a mob on September 28. He did not name any political party.

“Muslims and Hindus had been living in the village for 70 years. But it changed in one night... It’s so surprising that it is so easy to instigate riots in this country,” he said in the radio spot in Hindi.

“You just need to throw a piece of meat...I request people not to fall into the trap of a few jahreele (poisonous) politicians who would go back preparing for another election,” he said.

“The designs of such leaders could be defeated if Hindus and Muslims join hands,” Kejriwal added. “Only one person can defeat such designs, and that is the aam aadmi (ordinary man),” he signed off.

In an incident that drew nationwide outrage, Ikhlaq was beaten to death and his 22-year-old son Danish critically injured when a mob broke into their home in Bisada last week, accusing them of butchering a calf and eating beef.