'I am ready to respond against the allegations in Parliament.'
Facing ire over his alleged inflammatory speech warning Muslims of a 'final battle', Union Minister of State for Human Resource and Development Ram Shankar Katheria claims he did not make any such comments and the allegations are false.
On Sunday, February 28, Katheria -- the Lok Sabha MP from Agra -- along with the BJP MP from Fatehpur Sikri Babu Lal attended a condolence meeting held for Vishwa Hindu Parishad worker Arun Mahaur, who was allegedly killed by Muslim youth, in Agra. At the meeting, several speakers reportedly threatened the Muslim community with revenge.
According to the Indian Express (external link), Union Minister Katheria is reported to have said: 'We have to make ourselves powerful. We have to launch a struggle. If we don't begin a struggle, then today we have lost an Arun, tomorrow we will lose another.'
'Doosra jane se pehle, yeh hatyare hi chale jayen is prakar ki taqat humen dikhani hogi (Before another is lost, we must show such strength that these killers themselves disappear),' the Indian Express reported.
'The administration might think that main toh mantri ho gaya, haath bandh gaye (that because I'm a minister, my hands are tied),' the newspaper added.
'We are not withdrawing this movement. On Wednesday and Friday, we will all hold condolence meetings in our colonies. After that, whatever our leadership decides, if we are required to take to the streets, we will come on the streets in thousands. Let anybody dare stop us,' Katheria told the meeting, according to the Indian Express.
Speaking to Syed Firdaus Ashraf/Rediff.com on Tuesday, Union Minister Katheria said he would respond to the allegations against him in Parliament.
What have you got to say about the controversial statements made at the meeting?
I never made any such statement which is being attributed to me.
What was the reason for such a meeting?
A Dalit youth, by the name of Arun Mahaur, had been murdered in broad daylight in a bazaar. So, I attended the condolence meeting (in Agra).
What were you demanding at the meeting?
We were demanding justice for the murdered youth.
Why was the boy murdered?
It was a condolence meeting that I had gone to attend.
Is it true that the VHP worker who was killed had gone to the police and asked them to take action?
Yes. He had gone to the police, but they did not take any action on this case.
Is there a law and order problem in Uttar Pradesh?
Law and order is finished in Uttar Pradesh.
Is it true that during the condolence meeting there were controversial statements made against Muslims?
I have never said anything like this.
Your party MP Babu Lal said, 'Hindu kab tak chup baithenge.' What is your take on it?
I did not make any statement like this.
There was an uproar in Parliament against your statements.
I am ready to respond to the allegations in Parliament.
IMAGE: Union Minister of State for HRD Ram Shankar Katheria at the condolence meeting for the VHP worker in Agra.
