Union minister of state for civil aviation Jayant Sinha became the focus of widespread criticism after he felicitated and hand-fed sweets to eight men convicted of killing a Muslim meat trader in Jharkhand on the suspicion of carrying beef. Last year, 55-year-old Alimuddin Ansari was dragged out of his car and beaten to death in Jharkhand’s Ramgarh by a mob, which included a BJP MLA, that accused the meat trader of transporting beef.
Eleven people, including the eight whom Sinha garlanded, were convicted by a fast-track court this year after which Jharkhand High Court released them on bail upon appeal.
The Union Minister justified garlanding the convicted by saying that he was merely ‘honouring the due process of the law’. Sinha earlier claimed that “complete justice” had not been meted out to the men and later demanded that Jharkhand CM Raghubar Das order a CBI inquiry into the case.
I have full faith in our judicial system and the rule of law. Unfortunately, irresponsible statements are being made about my actions when all that I am doing is honoring the due process of law. Those that are innocent will be spared and the guilty will be appropriately punished.
— Jayant Sinha (@jayantsinha) July 7, 2018
Jayant Sinha’s feting of convicts evoked strong criticism, including that from his father and former Finance and External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha, who tweeted:
Earlier I was the Nalayak Baap of a Layak Beta. Now the roles are reversed. That is twitter. I do not approve of my son’s action. But I know even this will lead to further abuse. You can never win.
— Yashwant Sinha (@YashwantSinha) July 7, 2018
Sinha’s move to welcome the convicted cow vigilantes on June 5 into his was widely opposed:
Not yet convicted but are accused. And there is a video in circulation. He also understands the meaning of “matter being sub judaice.” He shoud have waited till final judgement to show his soliderity.
— D P Joshi (@DPJoshi89954856) July 7, 2018
Of course people should be presumed innocent until proven guilty.
But my question to @jayantsinha is, what the fuck were you *garlanding* them for?
— Amit Varma (@amitvarma) July 7, 2018
The BJP spokesmen defending Jayant Sinha are doing him more harm than good. No Minister in the Government of India should celebrate lynch mobs. To defend his action on the grounds that the victim was a ‘criminal’ is beyond sick.
— Tavleen Singh (@tavleen_singh) July 7, 2018
Union ministers should know the difference between suspension of a sentence pending appeal and stay of conviction.
The garlandees in the Jayant Sinha episode are not merely accused of an heinous crime, but also remain convicted.
— Prasanna S (@prasanna_s) July 7, 2018
Sorry @jayantsinha this does not wash. You took an oath to uphold the Constitution & have virtually lynched it. https://t.co/GpzSL5BV3f
— Swati Chaturvedi (@bainjal) July 7, 2018
For votes n bhakhts appeasement these so called political leaders can go to any extent.
— Intekhab Natalwala (@INatalwala) July 6, 2018
Mr. Jayant Sinha,
I had respect for you till I saw the picture of you garlanding and now after reading your “clarification” tweet, I have lost all respect for you as a human being. I know you are a politician and it wont matter to you. Had you just given a thought b4 doing so.— Sushil Kumar Upadhyay (@Sushil_bdq) July 7, 2018
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