India
While the police are investigating the case, the swami, who was holding a public meeting at a hotel in the Jharkhand town without police permission, blamed the student wing of the RSS and the youth wing of the BJP for the incident of violence
In Jharkhand’s Pakur district on 17 July, activist Swami Agnivesh was roughed up allegedly by ABVP and Bharatiya Jan Yuva Morcha members for his controversial statement on beef. The attack took place as he came out of a hotel in the town. The 80-year-old activist is badly injured and is being treated in a hospital there.
“As soon as I came out of the venue, BJYM and ABVP activists attacked me without any provocation. They alleged that I was speaking against Hindus,” Agnivesh said. “I thought Jharkhand was a peaceful State, but my views have changed after this incident,” the swami said.
Pakur Superintendent of Police Shailendra Bunrwal told MyNation that he had received information about the incident. He assured the police would take action in accordance with the law. However, he clarified that there was no intimation from Swami Agnivesh about his visit or holding of any programme to the local police authorities, which is necessary for public meetings. The police have detained 20 men in connection with the alleged incident of violence so far.
Sources said the ABVP and BJYM activists were enraged after Agnivesh made a controversial remark on beef eating.
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