Row erupts as Rana’s claims spark tension in Amravati minor video probe
Maharashtra Minority Commission chief Pyare Khan accused BJP MP Navneet Rana of inciting communal tension in Amravati over claims about victims' religion in a minor video case, demanded her expulsion, as police arrested eight and denied rumours amid ongoing probe.
Nagpur/Amravati: Maharashtra State Minority Commission chief Pyare Khan on Friday accused BJP MP Navneet Rana of deliberately trying to incite a communal conflict in Amravati in the wake of a case involving the circulation of obscene video clips of minor girls on social media.
Khan demanded Rana’s expulsion from the BJP over her allegation on Thursday that all victims in the case were Hindus, while the accused belonged to the Muslim community.
Eight persons have been arrested in connection with the circulation of obscene video clips and photographs of minor girls on social media sites. The probe began after videos were noticed on some websites on April 11. While no victims have come forward with complaints, the police registered an FIR and made the arrests. Khan, in a press statement, alleged that the Amravati MP was deliberately trying to incite a Hindu-Muslim conflict in the district, and demanded that strict action be taken against leaders spreading rumours.
The state minority commission chief stated that he has spoken to Amravati Police Commissioner Rakesh Ola in this regard. “There is no need for leaders like Navneet Rana in the BJP, which follows the motto of ‘Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas’. Hence, she should be expelled from the party,” he said, adding that he will write to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah with this demand.
Khan said that he met the parents of some of the victims and claimed that they had demanded action against Rana under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
