The Chief Minister, after his father was charged for his comments, had stressed that for his government, no one was above the law.
After allegedly making derogatory remarks against the Brahmin community, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel’s father Nand Kumar Baghel was today arrested and sent to 15 days in custody by a court in Raipur.
The Chief Minister, after his father was charged for his comments, stressed that for his government, no one was above the law.
“Nobody is above the law in my government, even if he is the Chief Minister’s 86-year-old father. As Chief Minister, I have the responsibility to maintain harmony among different communities. If he made a remark against a community, I am sorry. Legal action will be taken,” Bhupesh Baghel told reporters on Sunday.
“Everyone knows about my ideological differences with my father. Our political thoughts and beliefs are different. I respect him as his son, but as Chief Minister, I cannot forgive him for such mistakes which disturb public order.”
CM Bhupesh Baghel also noted that the Chhattisgarh government “respects every religion, caste and community and their sentiment”, and gives equal importance to everyone.
In a tweet later, Mr Baghel said: “As a son, I respect my father, but as a Chief Minister, none of his mistakes can be overlooked which disturbs the public order.”
In a controversial comment during his recent visit to Uttar Pradesh, Mr Baghel’s father called for a “boycott” of Brahmins and, describing them as foreigners, had urged people not to let them into their village.
“Brahmins will be sent from the River Ganga to Volga. They are foreigners. They consider us untouchables and are snatching all our rights. I will urge villagers to not let Brahmins enter their village,” Nand Kumar Baghel had said.
After his comment, an FIR was registered in Raipur on Saturday night on the complaint of the Sarv Brahmin Samaj against Baghel senior. The charges on the complaint include “promoting enmity between groups”.
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