FIR Against ABVP Activists for Disrupting Kanhaiya’s Campaign

Patna: In an indication of their discomfort with growing crowds in the meetings of Kanhaiya Kumar, former Jawaharlal Nehru University Students Union president, who is CPI candidate from Begusarai Lok Sabha seat in Bihar, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and affiliated organisations, including its student wing, ABVP, seem to have adopted their old tactics of disrupting his campaign by showing black flags.

On Wednesday, a group of Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) activists, along with Bajrang Dal, Vishwa Hindu Parishad and BJP youth front workers tried to disrupt the student leader’s campaign in Lohiya Nagar locality in Begusarai town, waved black flags, shouted ‘objectionable’ slogans against Kanhaiya, and tried to forcibly stop his campaign vehicle.

After that Kanhaiya’s supporters, mostly Communist Party of India youth cadres and his supporters, resisted the bid to disrupt their campaign and countered them by shouting slogans, like ‘Chowkidar Chor Hai’ ( the watchman is a thief).

Later, a first information report (FIR) was lodged against ABVP activist Golu Kumar and five others in a police station in Begusarai.

“A case was lodged against ABVP activist Golu Kumar and five others for trying to disrupt election meeting and campaign of Kanhaiya Kumar” district police official Mahesh Kumar said.

Lohiyanagar police post in charge, Ram Pratap Paswan, said that a written complaint was registered against one named accused and others. Police said they would identify the other accused by video clips.

Satnarayan Singh, CPI state secretary, said Kanhaiya was getting support from all sections and the response of people was more than expected during the election campaign.

However, Kanhaiya Kumar termed the disruption as part of a conspiracy by RSS/BJP to disrupt his election campaign and to create fear.

“ABVP should remember that I am hardly afraid of Modi (Prime Minister Narendra Modi). How can I will be afraid of them? No one can stop me from campaign and contesting polls”, he said, adding that this was a “clear sign that BJP to ABVP are nervous and certain of their defeat.£”

Kanhaiya told Newsclick that the Election Commission of India should take note of AB VP attempt to create fear and disrupt my election campaign.

Meanwhile, Left parties, such as CPI (M),CPI (ML) and CPI ,have condemned the ABVP for the incident.

Last week, after the formal announcement of his candidature by CPI, Kanhaiya Kumar had said his direct fight would be with Bharatya Janata Party’s (BJP) likely candidate Giriraj Singh, a controversial leader, known for his vocal championship of Hinduvta politics.

Begusarai will go to polls on April 29 in the fourth of seven phases polls.