Bandi Backs Auto Driver Over Damaged Religious Slogans
Union minister Bandi Sanjay Kumar backed an autorickshaw driver who alleged that religious slogans on his vehicle were torn by MIM activists in Hyderabad.
Union minister of state for home Bandi Sanjay Kumar on Wednesday extended support to an autorickshaw driver who alleged that his vehicle was targeted by Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) activists over religious slogans.
Chanchari Bharat, a driver from Wanaparthy district operating in Hyderabad, met the minister in Karimnagar. He alleged that on July 13, while ferrying passengers from Mehdipatnam to Jeedimetla, his vehicle was stopped near pillar number 131 and slogans displayed on it were torn.
The slogans on the autorickshaw read, “Changing your religion is like your father, Anyone born on this earth is a Hindu...Jai Sriram”.
It is also alleged that Attapur police warned him following the incident. Reacting to the issue, Sanjay Kumar said that activists had no right to damage the vehicle over expressions of faith. He said no one could decide what an individual should write on a personal vehicle.
Stating that the driver was not alone, he said support would be extended to those facing intimidation and assured assistance for a new vehicle.
He also demanded action against those involved in the incident and against the police officer alleged to have issued a warning.
