Right-wing activist threatens to kill teenager who raised pro-Pakistan slogans
What's the story
A right-wing activist has announced a bounty of Rs. 10 lakh on a Bengaluru student booked for raising pro-Pakistan slogans at a rally against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) in Bengaluru recently. Sanjeev Maradi of the Sri Ram Sena announced the bounty and threatened to encounter the student, Amulya Leona Noronha (19), if she is released by the police. Here are more details.
Statement
'If she is released, we will kill her'
Maradi told reporters in Karnataka's Ballari, "The state and the Central government should not release her under any circumstances. If she is released, we will kill her in an encounter." "We on behalf of Sri Ram Sena will give a bounty of Rs. 10 lakh to the person who kills her," Maradi said, donning a sash of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Twitter Post
You can watch the video here
#BIGNEWS: #SriRamSena leader #SanjeevMaradi makes a controversial statement in #Ballari. Maradi says he would reward Rs 10 lakh to those who kill #AmulyaLeona and #Ardra. pic.twitter.com/eEBBIwvSK3
— NEWS9 (@NEWS9TWEETS) February 22, 2020
Police action
No complaint against Maradi, says Ballari SP
More disturbingly, Ballari Superintendent of Police (SP) CK Baba told IANS on Sunday that no complaint has been filed against Maradi. Baba said they are analyzing the video and will summon Maradi for questioning. "We will book a case against Maradi if he made such an offer and owns up to it as it amounts to abetment of the crime," Baba added.
Incident
Leona was dragged from anti-CAA event over pro-Pakistan slogans
To recall, Leona raised the slogan of "Pakistan Zindabad" at an anti-CAA event in Bengaluru on Thursday, sparking massive uproar. She then proceeded to chant "Hindustan Zindabad." She went on to add, "The difference between 'Pakistan Zindabad' and 'Hindustan Zindabad' is..." as she was dragged off the dais before finishing the sentence. She was arrested, charged with sedition and sent to 14-day judicial custody.
Twitter Post
You can watch the clip here
#WATCH The full clip of the incident where a woman named Amulya at an anti-CAA-NRC rally in Bengaluru raised slogan of 'Pakistan zindabad' today. AIMIM Chief Asaddudin Owaisi present at rally stopped the woman from raising the slogan; He has condemned the incident. pic.twitter.com/wvzFIfbnAJ
— ANI (@ANI) February 20, 2020
Recent developments
Leona's home vandalized by mob; cops deployed for security
After the controversial incident, Leona's home in Gullagadde near Koppal was vandalized by an outraged mob on Thursday evening. Leona's father, Wazi, has since lodged a complaint and police personnel has been deployed outside their home. Videos of people questioning Wazi on Leona's remarks and asking him to chant "Bharat Mata ki Jai" have since surfaced online. Wazi distanced himself from his daughter's remarks.
Information
Video of child urinating on Leona's poster surfaces
Reportedly, videos of the Sri Ram Sena making a child urinate on Leona's poster have also surfaced. Separately, a Facebook post has also emerged where Leona says "zindabad" to several of India's neighboring countries, adding it does not make her belong to said countries.
Facebook Post
You can view the post in Kannada here
Political uproar
Leona has Naxal connections: Karnataka CM
Since the incident, Leona has been slammed by the ruling BJP in Karnataka and the Opposition alike. Karnataka Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa claimed Leona had "Naxal links." Leader of Opposition in the state Assembly Siddaramaiah urged the police to "teach Amulya a lesson." AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi, in whose presence Leona raised the slogans, also condemned the incident and distanced himself from the remarks.