Rights outfits and INDIA bloc partners have approached the Election Commission over alleged “inflammatory and divisive” speeches given by Assam chief minister and BJP’s Jharkhand election co-incharge Himanta Biswa Sarma during election rallies.
Loktantra Bachao Abhiyan (save democracy campaign — a collective of rights outfits) submitted a letter to the chief electoral officer of Jharkhand, K. Ravikumar, citing Sarma’s Friday speech at Sarath Assembly seat as allegedly seeking votes in the name of a particular religion and “provocative” speech against Muslims.
“We had written a letter to the chief electoral officer against Sarma’s communal speeches but no action has been taken. It seems the EC has given him a free hand to spread communalism in Jharkhand. We filed another complaint on Saturday,” said Elina Horo, a member of the Abhiyan.
The campaign members, in a statement, have alleged that Sarma is continuously giving provocative and communal speeches in Jharkhand, trying to polarise voters on religion and violating the model code of conduct.
“Also, an atmosphere of fear and terror is being created among the people in the name of religion. By telling lies, people are inciting violence against Muslims in the name of religion and votes are being sought in the name of religion in a gross violation of the model code of conduct,” the statement reads.
The outfits had earlier complained to EC against Sarma’s speeches at Hussainabad (October 23) and Jamshedpur (October 24).
The INDIA bloc delegation also met K. Ravikumar and sought immediate action against Sarma for his inflammatory and divisive speeches.
The letter signed by JMM, Congress, RJD and CPIML leaders also enclosed video recordings of Sarma’s speeches and sought “immediate strictest and stringent action” against Sarma.
The delegation also warned that if no action is taken within 24 hours they “will be constrained to move appropriate legal forum for legal remedy in which the commission will have to explain its failure to constraint this highly deplorable action of Sarma.”
