VHP, Bajrang Dal burn effigy of minority panel chief Pyare Khan in Nagpur over Abu Salem remark

Nagpur: Protests have intensified against Maharashtra State Minority Commission chairman Pyare Khan, who has been in controversy since demanding the release of terrorist Abu Salem. On Saturday, the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) and the Bajrang Dal burnt an effigy of Khan at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Chowk in Mahal to express their anger. Loud sloganeering and the burning of the effigy created tension in the area for a short while.

The VHP and the Bajrang Dal have been agitating for several days demanding Khan's removal from the post. They had announced a demonstration on October 24 in front of Gadkari Wada, the Mahal residence of Union Minister Nitin Gadkari. The announcement had stirred political circles.

On Saturday morning, office-bearers of the organisations were called to Gadkari Wada for talks. They demanded an inquiry into the allegations against Khan. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari assured them of appropriate action on their demand. Afterwards, the activists decided to hold their protest in front of the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj instead of at Gadkari Wada. At 4 pm, VHP and Bajrang Dal workers gathered in front of the statue and shouted slogans against Khan. During this, his effigy was set on fire. Police tried to douse the flames with water. Because of the protesters' mood, tension prevailed at the spot for some time.

"Nothing less than dismissal is acceptable"

Office-bearers of the VHP and the Bajrang Dal made it clear that there would be no compromise on the demand to remove Khan as chairman. They warned that if no action is taken on the demand, the agitation would be made wider and more aggressive. They said a person who is a well-wisher of terrorists, who demanded Abu Salem's release, would not be allowed to sit in the chair of the minority commission chairman. The protest against Khan has now become a topic of discussion in political and social circles. The agitators are firm on their stand, while all eyes are on the government's next step.