After Delhi Chief Minister, Arvind Kejriwal, Congress Vice President, Rahul Gandhi has also met Ikhlaq’s family in Dadari, Uttar Pradesh.
Rahul expressed his grief over and said that he is sad to see the trust and harmony built over decades getting destroyed by the politics of hate.
It is very sad to see the trust and harmony built over decades, destroyed by the politics of hate
— Office of RG (@OfficeOfRG) October 3, 2015
Earlier in the day, when Kejriwal accompanied by Aam Aadmi Party leaders Sanjay Singh and Kumar Vishwas, tried to enter Basera village, he was stopped and taken to a government guest-house. Police said they had not stopped the Chief Minister but ‘advised’ him against visiting the village for his own safety.
The AAP leader questioned why he was stopped from meeting the family when leaders like Asaduddin Owaisi and Mahesh Sharma were allowed. Kejriwal said he was stopped outside the village after locals protested against visitors to the village.
We r stopped by police n admn. Mahesh Sharma n Owaisi not stopped yest. Then y me? I am most peace loving. Want 2 jst meet Ikhlak's family
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) October 3, 2015
On October 2, AIMIM leader Asaduddin Owaisi had visited Bishada village to console victim Mohammed Iqlakh’s family and had questioned the Prime Minister’s silence on the “pre-planned murder”.
Owaisi had rubbished claims that Iqlakh’s family was attacked because of rumours that it had eaten beef and alleged he was done to death because of his religious persuasion.
Mahesh Sharma, the local BJP MP, had also visited the bereaved family yesterday. He stated that the killing was an “accident” which should not be given a communal colour and over which no politics should be done as it may prove to be “dangerous”.
There were also reports that a group of women had driven out mediapersons and other visitors from the village.
Meanwhile, the two main accused in the case, Shivam and Vijay have been arrested by UP police and Chief Minister Akkhilesh Yadav has announced an ex-gratia of 20 lakh rupess for the victim’s family.
Contingents of Provincial Armed Constabulary and state police have been deployed across the village where prohibitory orders banning assembly of five or more people continued to be in force.
District Magistrate M P Singh had claimed that the situation was under control and reasoned that the incident should be treated as a “solitary case” and not a communal clash as no other Muslim family was affected.
(With inputs from PTI)