Hate speech: BJP's Giriraj Singh banned from campaigning, may be arrested

Zee Media Bureau/Ritesh k Srivastava

New Delhi: The Election Commission on Tuesday banned BJP leader Giriraj Singh from campaigning in Bihar and Jharkhand after examining the video footage of his recent controversial remark that all Narendra Modi detractors should be sent to Pakistan.

The poll panel also examined the controversial statement made by VHP leader Pravin Togadia and is expected to take a decision on him soon.

Meanwhile, a third FIR was also lodged today against Giriraj Singh in connection with his hate speech.

EC officials earlier said that the poll body is in the process of examining the videos of their remarks and, if prima facie they are found guilty of violating the Model Code of Conduct and electoral laws, the two could be served with show cause notices in the coming days.

Togadia, who is not on the best of terms with Narendra Modi, created a storm when he had asked his supporters to forcibly vacate a house purchased by a Muslim in a Hindu-majority area of Bhavnagar.

Giriraj Singh, a former minister and a candidate in Lok Sabha elections in Bihar, had said those opposing Modi had no place in India and should go to Pakistan.

Following a storm over his remarks, Togadia has denied giving any advise which was "socially or legally wrong" and threatened to take legal action against media houses.

Despite party president Rajnath Singh pulling him up, Giriraj Singh has said he stood by his comments. In a series of tweets today, BJP prime ministerial nominee Modi disapproved of the 'petty' statements'.

"Petty statements by those claiming to be BJP's well- wishers are deviating the campaign from the issues of development and good governance.

"I disapprove (of) any such irresponsible statements and appeal to those making them to kindly refrain from doing so," Modi said in a series of tweets without naming anyone.