‘Arrest him now’: Protests rock Agartala over CPIM leader’s Hanuman remark

A series of protests erupted, including in Agartala city, demanding the arrest of CPIM leader and former Member of Parliament Shankar Prasad Datta after he allegedly made derogatory remarks against Lord Hanuman during a party program.

 

Today, a rally was taken out by the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) in Agartala city demanding the arrest of CPIM leader Datta.

 

The rally was led by BJYM State President and MLA Sushanta Deb, BJP Vice President Papia Datta, and over 1000 people joined the rally.

 

Speaking with reporters, MLA Deb said that they observed that two days ago, CPIM leader and former Member of Parliament Shankar Prasad Datta made derogatory remarks against Lord Hanuman.

 

“We strongly condemn such remarks, and not only we but the entire state is protesting it. As a mark of protest and condemnation, we—the Pradesh Yuva Morcha—held a rally in Agartala city demanding that Shankar Prasad Datta be arrested as soon as possible,” he said.

 

Sushanta further claimed that the CPIM has been working to hurt religious sentiments.

 

“We have also observed earlier that the CPIM has worked many times to hurt religious sentiments. They had also said that Dharma is like Aphin (opium). In West Bengal, the CPIM openly consumed beef. They have worked in various ways to hurt our religious sentiments. We strongly condemn and protest it,” he told reporters.

 

Meanwhile, in another event, Bajrang Dal members protested in front of the Radhanagar Bus Stand in Agartala by garlanding shoes on the effigy of the former MP.

Today, they protested against the former MP and demanded that Shankar Prasad Datta immediately apologize before the public.

 

Bajrang Dal members said that he should immediately appear through video or in person and apologize for his comment; otherwise, Bajrang Dal members have warned of launching a bigger movement.