BJP's support to mob violence aims to scare dissenters: Sachin Pilot

Rajasthan Congress party president slams the BJP for playing politics in the name of cow protection

Rajasthan Congress party president Sachin Pilot raps the government and its supporters of politics in the name of cow protection and tells Amit Agnihotri his party would dislodge the Vasundhara Raje government in 2018. Edited excerpts:

You have accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of fanning communal divide in the garb of cow vigilantism after the recent Alwar incident.

The Alwar mob lynching is not a local issue; it is a national issue. The BJP and its ideological mentor, RSS, are playing religious politics. Their drive is targeted not only at minorities only but aims to inject fear psychosis in anybody who differs with their ideology. It is no coincidence that we are witnessing such violence only in BJP-ruled states. 

If there is a law banning cow slaughter, what is the problem?

We respect the law but it cannot be taken in one’s hands to kill a person. Such incidents show some people assuming authority to deliver medieval justice.

How will you target the state government over the issue?

We have asked for dismissal of state home minister Gulab Chand Kataria, who said that both sides were guilty in the Alwar mob lynching. A reign of terror in the name of cow protection is being unleashed; the incident was state-supported, if not state-sponsored. Anti-social elements just cannot be roaming about on the highways. It shows tacit support for violent vigilantism. We will organise state-wide protests on this issue and highlight the failures of the Raje government.

A Union minister denied the incident while speaking in Parliament.

It takes a very thick skin, a cold heart and a closed mind to deny and then lie about such dastardly acts by violent goons. One is forced to believe the state is supporting and sponsoring such violence.

You had earlier demanded resignation of the state home minister in a gangrape case?

Yes, he made derogatory remarks against the victim, instead of punishing the accused. He has no right to remain in office; he represents an insensitive and arrogant government.

What are your charges against the Raje government?

The state has suffered a loss of Rs 1.2 lakh crore in the three years of the Raje government. The BJP government has spent the bare minimum on developing of infrastructure, agriculture, education and health. The government is exploiting people by levying new taxes. It has increased power and water rates arbitrarily. Power distribution companies have failed to check loss and theft. The state had set aside Rs 99,000 crore for development of the power sector but spent only Rs 38,000 crore.

You have been working hard to win the Dholpur assembly bypoll on Sunday?

This poll will be a reflection of people’s opinion on Vasundhara Raje and her government's performance. A party which is in power at the Centre and in the state could not find a single worker or leader from among its ranks suitable enough to be a lawmaker from Dholpur. So, the BJP had to induct an outsider, ex-BSP MLA’s wife Shobharani, and field her. The bypoll is taking place a year and a half before the Assembly elections due in December 2018. Hence, it would be a barometer of people’s assessment. The Congress will win the Dholpur bypoll.

How are you re-energising the state party unit?

We have asked district leaders to be in touch with grassroots workers and address their concerns. I travel as much as possible in the state. We launched a monthly publication, Indira Gaurav,in November last year, on the the birth anniversary of Indira Gandhi, one of India's most inspirational leaders.

Your take on UP chief minister Yogi Adityanath?

L K Advani was the ultra-right hardline face of the BJP versus former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Then, Mr Modi made Advani look pale. Now, Yogi makes Modi seem like a dove.

Recently, on the Sutlej-Yamuna Link canal controversy, you said Punjab water should not go outside?

It is the BJP which is ruling in Rajasthan, Haryana and at the Centre. Even in Punjab, it was in alliance with the Akali Dal in the government. But, the party clearly failed to protect Punjab’s water. Now, Punjab wants to protect its water and people voted for the Congress. The Congress is taking a stand that Punjab’s water should not go out. I attended Amarinder Singh’s swearing-in as chief minister and wish him well.