Police will take action in Agra's inflammatory speech case: Akhilesh Yadav

Ballia: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Wednesday said police will take action on the basis of evidence against Union Minister Ram Shankar Katheria and BJP MP Babu Lal in connection with the inflammatory speeches in Agra.

"Police has all the facts with regard to the alleged speeches. It will take action against all those involved in the case based on the recording and other evidences," he said

"A case has been lodged and investigations are on in connection with the inflammatory speech case in Agra," Yadav said here.

Taking a jibe at the BJP, the chief minister said the party leaders issue inflammatory speeches to "damage" communal amity in an attempt to divert people's attention from the issues of farmers and youth.

Katheria, who is Minister of State for HRD, and Lal had allegedly made controversial speeches at a condolence meeting held in Agra on Sunday for VHP leader Arun Mahaur, who was killed by some youths from another community on Thursday.

At the meeting, Katheria had said: "This conspiracy that is being hatched against the Hindu community, we have to be alert to recognize it and strengthen ourselves. We will have to fight it because if we do not do it now, today we have lost one Arun, tomorrow it could be another Arun, the killers should also go, we have to set such an example".

On JNU row, Akhilesh Yadav said, "Nationalism cannot be defined in a word or by adopting a single viewpoint. Nationalism is also taking everyone along."

Yadav exuded confidence of a "big win" in the coming state Assembly elections and said people have seen the works done by his government.