BJP MP Paresh Rawal on Monday raised a controversy with his remark that author Arundhati Roy should be tied to an Army jeep instead of a stone pelter, a reference to an incident in Kashmir where a protester was used as a “human shield” by security personnel against a mob to save a clutch of soldiers under seize.
“Instead of tying stone pelter on the Army jeep tie Arundhati Roy (sic)!” the actor-politician tweeted, taking a swipe at the author who has been a habitual critic of the BJP and the Army action in the Valley.
His tweet drew condemnation as well as praise from many in the social media platform with some accusing him of inciting violence.
When a supporter suggested that instead of the Booker Prize winning author, a woman journalist should be treated in a similar manner, Rawal reportedly quipped , “We have a wide variety of choices!”
In 2010, Roy had backed separatist Hurriyat leader Syed Ahmed Shah Geelani when he announced ‘Azadi’ for Kashmir at a public rally in Srinagar.
Geelani, along with writer Roy , was charged under various sections of IPC for organising a seminar in New Delhi, “Azadi-the Only Way” on October 21, 2010. Geelani was heckled in the seminar.
Reacting to the BJP MP’s comment, Congress general secretary Digivijay Singh hit out at the BJP, asking, “Why not (tie) the person who stitched PDP-BJP allianceIJ”
Union Minister Smriti Irani, however, sought to distance the party from Rawal’s tweet, saying, “Nowhere will we, in any way, support any violent message by anybody, against any individual of the country.”
The BJP leader, who was addressing a party Press conference, however, added that she had not seen his tweet and any answer she has given will not be fully “correct and knowledgeable”.
Many right wing supporters lapped up Rawal’s remarks, alleging that Roy was an “anti-national”.