Six Bajrang Dal men who were arrested for vandalising Christmas decorations at Magneto Mall in Chhattisgarh’s capital, Raipur, received a “hero’s welcome” after they were granted bail by a Sessions Court on Wednesday.
Soon after they walked out of jail in Raipur city on Thursday, Bajrang Dal members welcomed them with garlands and chants of “Raghu Pati Raghav Raja Ram”. To “celebrate” their bail, a procession was taken out by Bajrang Dal members who carried the six accused on their shoulders.
When contacted, Rishi Mishra, state coordinator of the Bajrang Dal, said, there is nothing wrong in taking out a procession. “What is wrong in raising slogans against them? The entire issue is related to religious conversions by them in Chhattisgarh. All [right-wing] groups had decided to call for a bandh but a conspiracy was done and our members were put behind bars. So, slogans will be raised on the subject,” he said.
A magistrate court in Raipur had denied them bail on December 29.
On Christmas Eve, right-wing groups had called for a day-long bandh in Chhattisgarh in protest against alleged religious conversions that they claimed were taking place in the state.
The same day, a mob armed with wooden sticks barged into Magneto Mall — a popular and an old spot — and vandalised Christmas decorations and installations. The mall featured figures of Santa Claus, reindeer, sleighs and snowmen. Security guards at the mall tried to stop the mob but were overpowered.
The same night, an FIR had been registered at the Telibandha police station against 30-40 unknown men under BNS sections 331(3), 324(2), 115(2), 191(2) and 190, which pertain to trespassing, intentionally causing damage or reducing the value/utility of property to cause wrongful loss, causing hurt, rioting and unlawful assembly.
On December 27, the Telibandha police arrested the six men and apprehended a minor; the six men spent five days in jail.
This story was originally published in indianexpress.com. Read the full story here.
