JP Nadda Seeks Action Against BJP MLA For Instigating People Against Muslim Vegetable Vendors

A defiant legislator, however, defended his outrageous comment claiming that he had given his opinion, and it was up to people to decide if they want to follow it.

A defiant legislator, however, defended his outrageous comment claiming that he had given his opinion. (Representative Image/ Getty)

New Delhi: Hours after Suresh Tiwari stroked a massive controversy by allegedly asking people not to buy vegetables from Muslim vendors, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has decided to take strict action against its party MLA for targeting the community. According to a report by news agency PTI, BJP national president JP Nadda on Tuesday asked party's Uttar Pradesh unit to take action against Tiwari. Official sources close to the news agency said top party leadership has found his comments "highly irresponsible", and its national president J P Nadda "pulled up" the state brass for not taking quick action. They said Nadda admonished UP BJP chief Swatantra Dev Singh and asked him to take action against Tiwari. The MLA has been asked to send his reply within a week. Tiwari, who is from Deoria district, was caught on camera asking people not to buy vegetables from Muslim vendors. ALSO WATCH | Haryana, UP Seal Borders With Delhi Out Of COVID-19 Fear In a 14-second clip shared widely on social media, the 74-year-old BJP leader is heard saying in Hindi: "Keep one thing in mind. I am telling everyone openly. There is no need to buy vegetables from 'Miyas' (Muslims)." A defiant legislator, however, defended his outrageous comment claiming that he had given his opinion, and it was up to people to decide if they want to follow it. A section of Hindutva elements has targeted Muslims over the spread of the coronavirus, alleging that some members of the community have deliberately abetted the rise in infections. Tiwari's communal statement came despite Prime Minister Narendra Modi's constant appeal to people to fight the pandemic unitedly, calling for brotherhood and harmony. ALSO WATCH | Bulandshahr: 2 Sadhus Killed Inside Temple, One Man Arrested Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat called for unity and asked Indians to not discriminate against particular communities. Several incidents of violence against Muslim fruits and vegetable vendors have been reported in Uttar Pradesh. On Monday, a Muslim fruit vendor in Lakhimpur town of the state was cornered by a few people and accused of spitting on watermelons before selling them. A team of the UP police reached the spot and rescued the man. Later, the police also issued a statement saying that all allegations against the vendor were found to be false. Even in Delhi last week, a Muslim vegetable seller was beaten up by a man who first asked him his name and then thrashed him. A case was registered after a video of the incident went viral.