Madhya Pradesh: Farmers’ agitation sparks video war between Congress and BJP

While farmers in Madhya Pradesh are at the receiving end, the BJP and the Congress are digging up videos to blame each other for the spiral of violence in the states.

The farmers’ agitation in Madhya Pradesh has an unlikely fallout – a video war between the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress which are blaming each other for spreading violence.

As Madhya Pradesh reels under a farmers’ agitation which has already claimed six lives, the ruling BJP and the Congress are blaming each other for the violence . Both parties are banking on videos to run each other down. (HT Photo)

The ruling party leaders have accused the Congress of inciting violence, especially after the police firing in Mandsaur killed at least six farmers. The accusation was supported by a video clip, widely shared on social media in which Congress MLA from Karera in Shivipuri Shakuntala Khatik is purportedly heard yelling in presence of Congress workers ‘Is thaane me aag laga do’. (Set this police station on fire.)

Khatik, a first time MLA, admitted she made the remarks after she was insulted by police.

“It was a spontaneous reaction out of anger,” she told Hindustan Times.

In another video, being circulated by BJP leaders on social media, a police officer is seen accusing the Congress MLA Jeetu Patwari of fanning violence and telling him that if he (Patwari) did not carry out his threat, there would be no violence.

State BJP spokesperson Rajneesh Agarwal said these video clippings were enough proof of how the Congress ‘sponsored’ the violence.

In a counter attack, Congress leaders pointed out to a video being circulated on social media in which a BJP leader Dharmveer Chauhan alias Babbu Darbar is seen distributing canes among people in Betma, Indore. The canes were reportedly distributed on June 7.

Congress’ state president, Arun Yadav alleged Chauhan was one of the key persons behind instigating violence in Malwa region.

“The peaceful protest turned violent because BJP leaders incited people by providing canes and stones into their hands. The video of Chauhan, who is a BJP leader, is a proof of it,” he said.

MP Congress Youth president Kunal Chaudhary said, “In the video, we can see clearly that new canes are being distributed among people. It was a pre-planned and that’s why they had a stack of canes to distribute among people.”

Chauhan refuted the charges saying that he distributed canes among the local businessmen for their self-defence after anti-social elements attacked their shops and sexually harassed two girls in the market.

“Being a responsible member of the area how can I allow anti-social elements attack people and sexually harass daughters of a businessman?” he asked.