Delhi Violence: Why No Action Against Kapil Mishra Who Incited Protesters Through Hate Speech
The violence which unfolded in the national capital on February 23 has so far taken seven lives and injured more than 150 people. The protest-turned-communal violence can be traced back to an inflammatory speech made by BJP leader Kapil Mishra Bhajanpura Maujpur and Jaffrabad had been on the edge since Sunday when a rally by Mishra was followed by stone pelting.
The violence which unfolded in the national capital on February 23 has so far taken seven lives and injured more than 150 people. Even as peaceful protests continue at Shaheen Bagh and other parts of the country, the national capital witnesses deadliest riots in two month since the protests are on.
The protest-turned-communal violence can be traced back to an inflammatory speech made by BJP leader Kapil Mishra. Bhajanpura, Maujpur and Jaffrabad had been on the edge since Sunday when a rally by BJP leader Kapil Mishra to counter CAA protests was followed by stone pelting. Mishra released a video of him surrounded by his supporters, issuing a clear warning to clear Shaheen Bagh in three days, failing which they ¡°will not listen to anyone.¡±
All these happens after the venemous speech of kapil mishra.#ArrestKapilMishra #ArrestKapilMishra #ArrestKapilMishra pic.twitter.com/gTRjt1eKOI
¡ª khalid khan (@khalid221977) February 23, 2020
He threatened anti-CAA protesters next to the protest venue in Jaffrabad; he tweeted after the violence that ¡°till (Trump) is in India, we are leaving the area peacefully¡after that, we won¡¯t listen to you (police).¡±
On February 23, taking to Twitter, Kapil Mishra said, "Dilli mein doosra Shaheen Bagh nahi banne denge [will not another Shaheen Bagh in Delhi]." Anti-CAA protest at Shaheen Bagh has been going on for the past two months.
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¡ª Kapil Mishra (@KapilMishra_IND) February 23, 2020
He earlier said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was right in calling the Shaheen Bagh protest "an experiment".
"A stage is being set in Jaffrabad. Another area where the country's laws will not be followed. PM Modi had rightly said that Shaheen Bagh was an experiment. Roads, markets, streets all will be blocked one by one. Keep quiet till they do not knock on your doors," Kapil Mishra said.
Soon after his inflammatory speech, violence erupted in parts of northeast Delhi, leading to the death of several civilians and a police constable. Men from Maujpur and Jaffrabad area started the encounter with stone pelting. Delhi Police personnel were outnumbered.
As houses are being burned to the ground in Khazoori Khas in North East Delhi- there is NO police present in the area.
¡ª Runjhun Sharma (@Runjhunsharmas) February 25, 2020
This is 3rd day of #DelhiRiots. Why is this still on? pic.twitter.com/ZEzRZEN6Do
The clashes erupted between thousands of people demonstrating for and against the new citizenship law. Police used tear gas and smoke grenades, but struggled to disperse the stone-throwing crowds that tore down metal barricades and set vehicles and a petrol pump alight.
While there is little clarity on who threw the first stone, both communities blame each other. On Monday, violence grew thick in Maujpur. Video footage of the violence reveals that among those pelting stones were also some policemen.
Reuters
"Some of the people brought in had gunshot wounds," said Dr Rajesh Kalra, additional medical superintendent at the Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital in New Delhi.
Tensions in parts of the city remained high on Tuesday with schools remaining shut in some areas amid news reports of fresh clashes. At least five metro stations in the city were closed.
On Monday, Mishra appealed to the public to stop violence and maintain peace.
"I appeal to everyone to stop the violence, which will not lead to any solution. Whether it is the people who are supporting CAA or those who are against it, I appeal to everyone to maintain peace. Delhi's brotherhood should remain intact," Mishra told ANI.
However, his pacifying remarks came in when the damage had been done.
BJP leader and East Delhi MP Gautam Gambhir on Tuesday called for stringent action against his party leader, Kapil Mishra, for making inflammatory statements.
BJP MP Gautam Gambhir on Kapil Mishra's speech: No matter who the person is, whether he is Kapil Mishra or anyone else, belonging to any party, if he has given any provoking speech then strict action should be taken against him. #NortheastDelhi pic.twitter.com/pBmtBORxIY
¡ª ANI (@ANI) February 25, 2020
Two complaints have been filed against Kapil Mishra, BJP leader for inciting mobs in Sunday and Monday¡¯s violence.
One complaint filed by AAP Corporator Reshma Nadeem and second by Haseeb ul Hasan.
The written complaints filed with police say that during protest Mishra incited people by his inflammatory speeches which led to the chaos. However, as of now no action has been yet taken against Mishra.
BCCL
Even on Tuesday, the situation remained tense since morning in northeast Delhi with incidents of stone pelting reported from the area.
Home Minister Amit Shah, chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and several other ministers were part of a meeting on Tuesday morning to take stock of the situation in Delhi. Kejriwal said the meeting with Shah was positive and all parties have stressed on restoring peace in the national capital.
Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah is chairing a meeting with Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal, Lt Governor Anil Baijal, Police Commissioner Amulya Patnaik, Congress leader Subhash Chopra, BJP leaders Manoj Tiwari & Rambir Singh Bidhuri and others. #NortheastDelhi pic.twitter.com/iz2ohNeSNo
¡ª ANI (@ANI) February 25, 2020
"Meeting with HM Amit Shah was positive and it was decided that all parties will take steps to restore peace," he told reporters after the meeting.
"The police are doing their bit and HM has assured that whatever force is needed, will be provided," Kejriwal said.