Dadri lynching case: Arvind Kejriwal says political parties engaging in vote bank politics

Greater Noida: After being initially stopped by administration, Delhi Chief Minister and AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal on Saturday was allowed to enter Bishada village and meet the family of a man lynched for allegedly eating beef.

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Sanjay Singh, Kumar Vishwas and Ashutosh were also present in Kejriwal's delegation.

What happened in Dadri was against humanity. It was totally wrong. Who benefited from it, neither Hindus nor Muslims. Only political parties and politicians are benefiting," Kejriwal said.

He said political parties were engaging in vote bank politics.

"One political party is trying to consolidate Hindu vote bank while another is trying to make Muslim their vote bank by spreading poison between the two communities. It is wrong," he said.

"If somebody thinks Hindu religion is in danger and that is why Muslims are being targeted, then he cannot be a Hindu," he said.

Earlier in the day, Kejriwal and some local Congress leaders were barred from entering the village to meet the aggrieved family after locals were upset over a steady stream of visitors pelted stones at media persons.

Kejriwal and a few other AAP leaders were on their way to meet the family of Mohammad Iqlakh, 50, when over 500 Hindu women took to the streets and prevented journalists and politicians from reaching Bisara village.

Police said the situation in the village had turned tense as women in the village had objected to presence of media and some persons had pelted stones at them.

Police said the situation in the village had turned tense as women in the village had objected to presence of media and some persons had pelted stones at them.

In view of the protests, entry to visitors was stopped and the administration was trying to pacify the agitated villagers, police said.

As some in the street protest hurled stones, Kejriwal's motorcade was diverted to a guest house, police said. The chief minister was not hurt.

Peeved at being stopped outside the village, Kejriwal, who was accompanied by some party leaders, questioned whey he was stopped from meeting the family when leaders like Asaduddin Owaisi and Mahesh Sharma were allowed.

We r stopped by police n admn. Mahesh Sharma n Owaisi not stopped yest. Then y me? I am most peace loving. Want 2 jst meet Ikhlak's family — Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) October 3, 2015

I m being accused of doing politics. Yes, i am doing politics.But i m doing politics of unity and love. They r doing politics of hatred(1/2) — Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) October 3, 2015

We firmly beileve that Hindus n Muslims have to stay united n not become vote banks. They want to divide people(2/2) — Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) October 3, 2015

Kejriwal's decision to visit Bishada village comes a day after controversial AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi and Union Minister and BJP leader Mahesh Sharma visited the family of the man killed here by a mob over rumours that they had consumed beef.

Around 200 persons attacked the residence of Mohammed Iqlakh on Monday night after rumours spread in the village that a cow has been slaughtered and the beef was stored in his house, police said.

The mob allegedly beat Iqlakh to death while his 22-year-old son Danish was critically injured in the attack and is undergoing treatment at a hospital.

Six persons have been arrested in connection with the lynching of the man over suspected beef consumption and a manhunt launched to arrest the rest named accused in the case, a senior police officer said.

(With agency inputs)