Manas Dasgupta
NEW DELHI, June 28: Tension prevailed in Udaipur following gruesome murder of a tailor in his shop on Tuesday afternoon allegedly for supporting the controversial now-suspended BJP spokesperson Nupur Sharma who had made blasphemous statement against Prophet Mohammad.
Acting quickly, the Rajasthan police managed to apprehend both the assailants from the neighbouring Rajsamand district.
The assailants also filmed the beheading of the tailor and posted it on the social media for wider circulation and also issued a veiled threat to the prime minister Narendra Modi.
The murder and its filming by his killers sparked massive tension in Udaipur city forcing the authorities to immediately suspend Internet to prevent circulation of the gory video. The government has also rushed 600 additional police personnel to Udaipur and the Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot appealed to the people to maintain peace.
According to police, the two men entered Kanhaiya Lal’s shop in a crowded market in the city posing as customers and as he was taking measurement of one of them for making some garments, the other assailant beheaded him with a knife.
A video filmed by them showed Kanhaiya Lal measuring one of the men before he was attacked. In a second video, the two identify themselves as Mohammad Riyaz and his friend, and boast about the “beheading”. They then purportedly issue “a warning” to the Prime Minister. Kanhaiya Lal had expressed support on social media for Nupur Sharma, who triggered a huge controversy and protests in India and several Muslim countries with her provocative comments on Prophet Mohammed.
Taking to Twitter, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said, “I condemn the heinous murder of a youth in Udaipur. Strict action will be taken against all the criminals involved in this incident and the police will go to the bottom of the crime. I appeal to all parties to maintain peace. Strictest punishment will be given to every person involved in such a heinous crime.” Talking to mediapersons, Gehlot said Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah should address the nation over the “deteriorating atmosphere”.
With the video of the incident doing the rounds on social media, Gehlot said, “I appeal to everyone not to try and vitiate the atmosphere by sharing the video of this incident. By sharing the video, the criminal’s purpose of spreading hatred in the society will be successful.”
District Collector Tarachand Meena and SP Manoj Kumar also appealed to citizens to maintain peace, with both saying that “criminals have no caste.” The two also said compensation would be given as per the provisions.
Senior police officer Hawasingh Ghumaria, the Additional Director of law and order, told reporters that they have received orders “not to spare anyone.” Ghumaria also asked the media not to broadcast the video because of its highly inflammatory content. “It’s too grisly to watch. My advice is please don’t look at the video,” said the officer.
The police said the tailor had received threats from certain organisations after his posts in support of Nupur Sharma in the prophet remarks row. Calling the situation “painful” and “shameful,” the Chief Minister said an atmosphere of “animosity” has been created. “Strict action will be taken against all the criminals involved in this incident and the police will get to the bottom of it. I appeal to all parties to maintain peace,” Mr Gehlot said.
Rajasthan BJP chief Satish Poonia said Riyaz should be taken into custody immediately and “his terrorist links should be investigated.”