Anti-Muslim slogans at Jantar Mantar: BJP leader Ashwani Upadhyay, 5 others arrested by Delhi Police

New Delhi: The Delhi Police on Tuesday detained six people, including advocate and former BJP spokesperson Ashwini Upadhyay, in connection with a video showing them raising anti-Muslim slogans during a protest at Jantar Mantar.

According to Delhi Police, the six people were detained from different areas of the Delhi-National Capital Region. 

All six people - BJP leader Ashwani Upadhyay, Vinod Sharma, Deepak Singh, Vinit Kranti, Preet Singh, Deepak - have been formally arrested in connection with inflammatory sloganeering near Jantar Mantar on Sunday, the Delhi Police said.

Delhi Police is probing their roles in connection with the incident and further action will be taken accordingly. A video showing anti-Muslim slogans being raised during a protest at Jantar Mantar here was widely circulated on social media, following which the Delhi Police registered a case in connection with the matter on Monday.

Hundreds of people had attended the protest organised by Bharat Jodo Aandolan at Jantar Mantar on Sunday.

Shipra Srivastava, media in-charge of Bharat Jodo Aandolan, had said the protest was held under the leadership of Upadhyay. However, she denied any links to those who raised anti-Muslim slogans.

“The protest was held against colonial laws and demanding to abolish 222 British laws. We have seen the video, but have no idea who they are. The police should take strict action against the persons who raised the slogans,” Srivastava said.

Upadhyay too denied any involvement in the anti-Muslim slogan-shouting incident. “I have submitted a complaint to the Delhi Police to examine the video which went viral. If the video is authentic, then strict action should be taken against the persons who were involved in it,” he had said.

“I have no idea who they are. I have never seen them, never met them and neither called them there. Till the time I was there, they were not seen there. If the video is fake, then a propaganda is being circulated to defame Bharart Jodo Andolan,” Upadhyay said.

The video shows a group of people shouting inflammatory slogans and threatening Muslims during the protest at Jantar Mantar.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (New Delhi) Deepak Yadav had said on Monday, “We have received a video and we are examining it. A case has been registered under relevant sections of the law and an investigation is in progress.”