Opposition leaders have reacted strongly against the gruesome murder of 40-year-old tailor Kanhaiya Lal who was beheaded by two men in Udaipur for allegedly posting content in support of suspended BJP leader Nupur Sharma on Tuesday. Just a few hours after Lal reopened his shop, two men arrived posing as customers. He started measuring one of them and suddenly, he was attacked with a giant cleaver while the man recorded the gruesome incident. Reportedly, he was receiving death threats for the past 10-15 days.
Biju Janata Dal (BJD) leader and Rajya Sabha MP from Odisha Prasanna Acharya said that nobody should try to do politics over such an incident, adding that prime duty of the state government is to control the situation. While talking to ANI, Acharya said, “it is a most unfortunate, unwanted incident that has happened in Udaipur, Rajasthan and all such things should be unanimously condemned by all political parties irrespective of the political difference. I think the prime duty of the concerned state government is to take immediate steps to control the situation and take the culprits into task.” He criticised the CM for his comment that there is a tense atmosphere across the country and Prime Minister should address the nation. Acharya said, “For all such issues, I don’t think it is appropriate to drag the name of the Prime Minister. Nobody should try to do politics over it. We must keep such things above politics. Whatever step is required, the PM and the Government of India will take it definitely.”
President of the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) Asaduddin Owaisi condemned the incident and said ‘radicalisation is spreading’. He said, “I strongly condemn the Udaipur incident… We hope the Rajasthan govt takes strict action. Had the police been more alert, this wouldn’t have happened… Radicalisation is spreading.” “Nupur Sharma should be arrested; the mere suspension was not enough,” Owaisi added.
Rashtriya Janata Dal MP Manoj Jha said that such incidents were not observed during 1947, however, are observed after 75 years of independence because of the “poison blended in the atmosphere” that is “ceasing to end”. Speaking to ANI, Jha said, “This is cruelty, and a height of bigotry. Where have we brought the country to? Nothing would remain the same. We have lost two PMs in our country. There is an atmosphere of violence in the entire country. What have we made this country? The irony of it all is that we are fighting for such issues in the 75th year of independence which we had solved in 1947. Such incidents were not seen in 1947. Such incidents are coming to the fore after 75 years of independence. It is a matter of concern for all that how the poison has been blended that it is ceasing to end. The atmosphere has been poisoned. People are talking about Rajasthan, I can recall Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka. A map of India should be made ‘Violent spot in India’.”