J&K BJP serves show-cause notice to senior leader who is booked for hurting religious sentiments

Jammu: BJP Jammu and Kashmir unit has served a show-cause notice to a senior leader of the state and former MLC Vikram Randhawa on Monday, asking him to explain his position within 48 hours regarding a video in which he allegedly made statements hurting the religious sentiments of a community. The notice has also asked to submit a public apology.

Quoting police officials, PTI reports that an FIR has been registered against Randhawa at a police station under section 295-A and 505 (2) of the Indian Penal Code and further investigation is on. Randhawa is accused of making disparaging comments over the incidents of celebration of Pakistan's win over India in a cricket match in the ongoing T20 world cup in Dubai.

The show-cause notice served to Randhawa on Monday, the BJP disciplinary committee, headed by Sunil Sethi, says that absolutely reckless and hatred promoting remarks against a particular community is unacceptable to the party and has brought disrepute and embarrassment to the party. The notice askes to explain his position with 48 hours regarding the video which has gone viral on social media in which Randhawa was seen making alleged statements that promote enmity between communities.

BJP Jammu and Kashmir president Ravinder Raina, who ordered the disciplinary action against the former legislator, had said he was personally hurt after hearing the comments of Randhawa.

He said that the remarks are totally against the basic principles of the party which beliefs in respecting all faiths and taking everyone along in accordance with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's slogan of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas and Sabka Vishwas'".

Randhawa's remarks have caused outrage across Jammu and Kashmir with people demanding action against him in accordance with the law.