Senior Delhi BJP leader Vijay Jolly created a rather uncomfortable situation for the BJP after he, along with some of his supporters, defaced the nameplate of the Tehelka’s former Managing Editor Shoma Chaudhury outside her residence in Saket. The incident took place on Thursday afternoon and the top leadership of the BJP did not waste time in distancing itself from the act, saying it was condemnable. Sources said the central leadership would also ask Delhi BJP president Vijay Goel to issue a notice to Jolly seeking his clarification.
Jolly not only wrote in black ‘accused’ on Chaudhury’s nameplate; his supporters went on to heckle the journalist when she was leaving her house. He also poured black paint outside Chaudhury’s house. Meanwhile, the Delhi Police has registered a case of rioting, wrongful restrain and defacement against Jolly and his supporters at Saket Police Station. A notice under Section 160 of CrPC has been applied on the BJP leader to appear on Friday at 10 am in the Saket Police Station for investigation. After the protest, the security has been put in place for Chaudhury at her residence.
“Party (BJP) has nothing to do with the incident. I can never endorse such an act. He (Jolly) had hinted me and Arunji (Jaitley), and we had strictly asked him not do so as it is not in line with the party’s ideology and at the same time it is not civilised. The protest was not done in a civilised manner and I condemn it,” said Swaraj. Earlier, Nitin Gadkari too said the protest was staged in his personal capacity and that the party would seek explanation from him and take appropriate action thereafter.
Jolly sought to clarify his stand saying it was his spontaneous outburst and the same was not a BJP’s protest. “My head hangs in shame. She (Chaudhury) did not stand up in support of her woman colleague and for the past one week she has been trying to suppress the complaint and facts in the case. The least expected from her was to report the matter to police immediately. She should have also asked Tejpal to submit himself to the law of the land. He should have had the temerity to accept his guilt and submit before law. None of this happened,” he said.