Controversial minister Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti gets Y-category VIP security cover

Union Minister Sadhvi Niranjan Jyoti, whose hate speech kicked up a political storm and stalled Parliament, has been given VIP security.

Jyoti, 47, who is a minister of state in food processing ministry, will now have 11 para-military personnel guarding her round-the-clock, official sources said.

Under this security categorisation, the minister, who hails from Uttar Pradesh, will be provided with an armed security cover by commandos during her visits to her state and in the National Capital Region.

An old political rivalry in Fatehpur that led to exchange of fire in June last year was cited as reason for beefing up security of the minister, an MP from Fatehpur.

The sources said a threat analysis of the minister prompted central security agencies to recommend an armed security cover for her after which the home ministry decided to accord her the ‘Y’ level of security.

Another surprise inclusion in the list was that of working President of Ramjanmbhoomi Nyas in Ayodhaya, Mahant Nritya Gopal Das, who has also been accorded a ‘Y’ category VIP security cover which will be provided by Central Reserve Police Force.

The reason cited for augmenting the Mahant’s security was that he had been attacked in 2001 by some unidentified youths. At that time, the National Democratic Alliance government was in power.

Minister of State in Home Haribhai Parthibhai Chaudhary will also have an upgraded security of ‘Z’ category similar to that of another Kiren Rijiju. Now he will also be guarded by 35 para-military force personnel round-the-clock, the sources said.