Patna: A case was lodged against Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Ashwani Choubey's son in connection with communal clashes during a procession in Bihar's Bhagalpur district, police said on Monday.
"Two cases were lodged in connection with the clashes two days ago. The first was against taking out the procession without permission, inciting communal sentiment and roaming on roads with displaying arms in which Choubey's son Arijit Shashwat and 20 others were named as accused," police officer Md Janeefuddin told.
Janeefuddin said that an investigation has begun into Shashwat's role in the clashes that took place in Nathnagar on Saturday.
The procession was organised by the Bharatiya Navvarsh Jagran Samiti on the eve of the Hindu New Year.
Tension still prevailed in Nathnagar and neighbouring Champanagar areas.
However, Choubey as well as local BJP leaders have claimed that rally organisers had been given permission by the district administration.
The minister also denied that provocative slogans were raised and objectionable songs were played in the procession.
Shashwat had unsuccessfully contested the last Bihar Assembly polls as the BJP candidate from Bhagalpur, considered a stronghold of Choubey.
Additionnal security forces have been deployed and internet services have been suspended since Saturday night.
Bhagalpur is a communally sensitive place as it witnessed one of the worst communal riots in 1989 in which more than 1,000 people were killed.
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Chennai (PTI): Actor-politician Vijay-led Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam on Friday staged state-wide demonstrations against the Waqf Bill and demanded that it be taken back.
Led by TVK general secretary N Anand, party cadres gathered here against the Bill, passed by both houses of Parliament, and raised slogans including "let us reject Waqf Bill," and "do not take away the rights of Muslims."
The Centre should not interfere in the matters related to Waqf properties and the union government poses a "threat to Waqf properties," with the passage of the Bill, the protesters claimed, and demanded that the Bill be withdrawn.
"Do not betray the minorities," and "let us protect secularism," were among the other slogans raised by the protesters.
Madurai, Coimbatore, Tiruchirappalli, Thoothukudi and Thanjavur were among the cities that witnessed protests by the TVK.
Vijay on Thursday dubbed the Waqf Bill "anti-democratic" and demanded that it be taken back. Further, he said if this demand was not met, his party would join forces with Muslims in their "Waqf rights legal struggle."