Commenting on Bharatiya Janata Party's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi's aide Amit Shah, who in Shamli created controversy by his revenge remarks earlier this week, former actor and Congress leader Raj Babbar on Sunday said that Shah's act reflected the mindset of the party.
"It is not a new thing as this is not happening for the first time in the BJP. It reflects the mindset of the party and it is good that all of this is coming out before the elections," said Babbar.
"It is not about Hindus or Muslims, it's about brotherhood. If something similar to the Godhra riots happens both Hindus and Muslims will die and it will be the loss for the nation," he said.
Earlier in the day, the Uttar Pradesh Chief Electoral Officer has sought reports and CD about the alleged hate speech of Shah.
While the BJP defended its UP in-charge in the face of calls for strict action from rival parties, the Congress moved the Election Commission, demanding Amit Shah be arrested for violating the Representation of Peoples Act with his provocative hate speech.
K C Mittal, the head of the All India Congress Committee (AICC) legal cell on Saturday asked the EC to take stern action against the BJP and leaders who are vitiating the atmosphere ahead of the polls.
More From This Section
"They are spreading hatred and dividing people in the name of castes and religions. We have demanded for registration of FIR and local police should arrest him. There should be proceedings against them. It's really horrible to make such a statement in a charged atmosphere of Muzaffarnagar where communal violence has taken place recently and innocent people were brutally killed," Mittal said.
On Friday Amit Shah had met leaders of three communities - Gurjjars, Rajputs and Dalits - at a farmhouse in the town's Gandhi Colony. He apparently spoke of revenge.
"A man can live without food or sleep. He can live when he's thirsty and hungry. But when he's insulted, he can't live. We must seek revenge for the insult heaped on us," he is alleged to have said.
He allegedly said the same thing a day before on Thursday while he met leaders of the Jat community at Raajhar village, 40 km from Muzzaffarnagar and delivered a similar vengeful remark.
"This election is about voting out the government that protects and gives compensation to those who killed Jats," Shah said. "It is about revenge and protecting honour." he said.