UP Horticulture Minister Parasnath Yadav
Amid outrage and protests in Uttar Pradesh over the alleged murder of a journalist, in which a state minister is a suspect, another minister has controversially said about the incident: "You can't fight nature."
Uttar Pradesh Horticulture Minister Parasnath Yadav was speaking to journalists in Allahabad on Sunday when he said: "There are some incidents that happen in the course of nature and destiny."
His callous remarks have intensified anger against the Uttar Pradesh government, which has been accused of shielding its minister Ram Murti Verma, accused of ordering the killing of freelance journalist Jagendra Singh.
Mr Singh was allegedly set on fire during a police raid at his house in Shahjahanpur on June 1. He died on June 8. Before dying, he made a statement to the police, which was broadcast on news channels.
The journalist's family is on a sit-in protest, and has demanded a CBI investigation. An association of journalists has joined the protests.
Ram Murti Verma, the minister for Backward Classes Welfare, has been missing since he was named in the FIR or police complaint. The police today said they don't need to question the minister yet.
"We will question the minister if needed," senior police officer Babloo Kumar told NDTV.
The minister has been accused of ordering the killing after a series of Facebook posts by the journalist accusing him of involvement in illegal mining activities and land grabbing.
The journalist's son has alleged in his complaint that the minister sent the team of policemen who allegedly poured kerosene on Mr Singh and set him on fire. He has also alleged that he is under pressure from "people close to the minister" to withdraw the case.
As the journalist's death sparked anger across the state, Governor Ram Naik spoke to Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Friday. A day later, five policemen allegedly involved in the journalist's death were suspended.