Swami Agnivesh was attacked allegedly by BJP Yuva Morcha workers in Jharkhand
Highlights
- Swami Agnivesh attacked in Jharkhand last month, blamed BJP youth wing
- Says cops haven't arrested anyone after 18 days of incident
- Questions silence of ministers, says will move top court next week
Social activist Swami Agnivesh, who was attacked last month in Jharkhand, today said he would approach the Supreme Court as the police have taken no action in the case in the last 18 days. There has been no arrest, because it was a "deliberate attack" he said at a function today.
"I am going to go to the Supreme Court anytime next week. These criminals have not been arrested even after 18 days of the attack. No one has been identified... This is all deliberate," he said at a function in Thiruvananthapuram.
In a scathing attack on the Prime Minister, Swami Agnivesh questioned why he and his ministers kept silent on the issue so far. "That speaks volume, it is their design," he said, adding if the BJP comes to power in 2019, "you will have to forget democracy and constitution and fair elections".
The 79-year-old activist, known for his work against bonded labour, was slapped, kicked around and verbally abused at Pakur on July 17, by a mob, which he said belonged to the BJP-affiliated youth groups that had accused him of speaking against Hindus.
Swami Agnivesh had said he had informed the administration about his arrival. But no policemen were deployed outside his hotel even after protesters had gathered and raised slogans against him.
Following an uproar about the attack, Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das had ordered an investigation and promised swift action, but the police are yet to make any arrest.
Asked about it, Mr Das told NDTV that Swami Agnivesh had not informed either his office or the district administration about his visit.