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Kasganj violence: Father demands status of martyr for Chandan
Chandan was shot dead in a communal violence that broke out following an altercation between two groups over shouting of slogans during Tiranga Yatra.
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When Chandan Gupta, 23, left his home in Shivalaya Wali Gali in Kasganj on Friday to take part in Tiranga Yatra on Republic Day, his family members had no idea that they were seeing him for the last time.
Chandan was shot dead in a communal violence that broke out following an altercation between two groups over shouting of slogans during Tiranga Yatra on Friday.
“I want the status of martyr for my son who was taking out ‘Tiranga Yatra’ when he was killed. Some people have suggested that a crossing should be named after him in Kasganj. I am not averse to the idea,” Chandan’s father Sushil Gupta, 51, said.
“Chandan had been a regular to Tiranga Yatra. I had no idea that any such thing could happen to him. I want peace in my city. I find no logic in what all is happening these days,” he said.
He maintained Chandan was not a member of any group or political outfit but was a patriot.
Gupta works as a compounder at the clinic of a reputed doctor in Kasganj. Chandan was the youngest among his three children.
Chandan’s elder brother Vivek works as a medical representative for a pharmaceutical company while his sister is a science graduate and lives in Delhi to prepare for competitive examinations.
“We have been living in Kasganj for ages. Our forefathers lived here. We never saw communal tension or riots. My sole aim was to earn for my family as I wanted my children to study well. Everything has gone haywire after Chandan’s death,” he said.
Gupta added he wanted to know the events that led to his son’s death.
“I seek a fair inquiry as to what led to the death of my son and want to see the guilty punished. I do not want any other father to lose his son,” he said.
Gupta said he had not demanded any compensation for his son’s death.
“I am not aware about the exact reason that led to the clashes but Chandan’s friends say he was chanting ‘Bharat Mata Ki Jai’ and ‘Vande Matram’ which was opposed by the other community when the Yatra reached their locality,” he said.
