We have killed 5 cites Pehlu Khan lynching as example: BJP leader

In Rajasthan, a video has emerged of former BJP MLA Gyandev Ahuja claiming to have lynched five cow smugglers.

According to The Indian Express, after this video appeared, an FIR was registered against Gyandev Ahuja.

The statement by Gyandev Ahuja is from the time he had gone to Govindgarh to meet the family of a person killed in the communal violence on Friday. Here, a person named Chiranji Lal has been killed by Vikram Khan and others. Police believe this is a case of mistaken identity regarding tractor theft.

In the video, Ahuja is heard telling a person sitting next to him, “Panditji, ab tak toh paanch humne maare hain, Lalwandi mein maara, chahe Behror mein maara, chahe (unclear) mein maara, ab tak toh paanch hum ne maare hain. Is area mein pehli baar hua hai ke unhone maara hai (Panditji, we have killed five so far, be it in Lalwandi, be it Behror… It has happened for the first time in this area that they have killed someone).”

In the video, Ahuja goes on to say: “Maine khullam khulla chhoot de rakhi hai karyakartaon ko, maaron sa**** ko jo gokashi … Bari bhi karwayenge, zamaanat bhi karwa denge (I have given a free hand to the workers, kill those ****** behind cow slaughter… We will get you acquitted, get you out on bail too).”

Alwar Police Superintendent Tejaswani Gautam told the Sunday Express that an FIR was registered against Ahuja over the complaint by the police officer present at the scene.

Rajasthan Congress Speaker Govind Singh Dotasara shared this video on Twitter which went viral. While sharing the video, he wrote that the true face of BJP has appeared in front of the whole world.

At the same time, BJP distanced itself from Ahuja's statement. BJP Rajasthan Chief Spokesman Ramlal Sharma said: "BJP believes in democracy and constitution. It doesn't believe that the law should be taken into their own hands. If someone commits a crime, they should be punished by law. What he said Gyandev ji was his personal statement Only he can clarify in what context he was speaking.

The BJP distanced itself from Ahuja's comments. Noting that Ahuja was in the party but not holding any office, Chomu MLA Ramlal Sharma, who is also the BJP's main spokesman in Rajasthan, said: “The BJP believes in democracy and the Constitution. He does not believe that the law should be taken into his hands. And if someone commits a crime, he must be punished within the limits of the law. What Gyandevji has said is his personal comment. Only he can clarify in what context he said this."

Ahuja, a well-known agitator, has been an MLA three times; in 1998, 2008 and 2013. In 2018, she was among a handful of leaders known for controversial comments who were denied tickets by the BJP. In Ahuja's case, then-Prime Minister Vasundhara Raje is also said to have opposed his being put forward as a candidate. In protest, Ahuja left the party and announced her candidacy as an Independent. She withdrew her nomination after the BJP appointed him vice president of the state unit.

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