RAIPUR: Surrender or police are coming for you, Chhattisgarh Chief minister Bhupesh Baghel warned Kalicharan Maharaj on Tuesday after he released a video, saying he said he didn't regret using 'apshabd' (derogatory words) for Mahatma Gandhi.
"If Kalicharan Maharaj claims he doesn't regret his words and is courageous enough, he should come to Chhattisgarh and surrender as an FIR has been filed against him. Otherwise, police teams are being sent to various states and will arrest him," Baghel said.
A police team arrived in Akola, Maharashtra, on Tuesday evening to look for him, sources said. If they don't find him, they will post a notice at his house. Another team has been sent to MP. "If he has no regrets, he should face the consequences. Why release fresh statements? He will not be spared. Police teams will find him and arrest him," Baghel said, adding that everyone related to the case, including the organizers, will be questioned.
War of words between CM, Raman
The FIR against Kalicharan was registered at Tikrapara police station in Raipur on December 26 for his controversial and insulting remarks on Gandhi and a minority community at a Dharam Sansad, said police. "Our investigation is on. Statements of the organisers and several participants have been taken. A video of Kalicharan's speech has been seized. Police teams have been dispatched to several states, including Maharashtra and MP, to arrest the accused," said an officer.
Now, politics has heated up over the issue with BJP national vice-president Raman Singh arguing that the 'Dharam Sansad' - where Kalicharan made his controversial statement - was a "result of Congress' internal politics and BJP had no role to play". Singh said it was not an event hosted by BJP, hence BJP should not be questioned.
CM Baghel shot back by questioning Singh's presence at the event. "What was Raman Singh doing at the Dharam Sansad during its inauguration and 'Kalash Yatra'? Was he invited by the Congress?" Baghel asked. President of Chhattisgarh Janata Congress (J)l, Amit Jogi, said it's objectionable to speak ill of the Father of the Nation, but felt the government should concentrate on state issues rather than "focusing on Gandhi and Godse, who are no more".
"Dharam Sansad-like events are held to distract people from real issues. There are issues like unemployment and farmers' troubles that no one talks about. Focussing on development of the state is the need of the hour," Jogi said.
