Darbhanga (Bihar): The arrest of a 20-year-old Muslim youth in Darbhanga has sparked debate over selective action on hate speech. The youth, identified as Mohammad Rizvi alias Raza, was taken into custody on Friday after a complaint was filed by BJP’s district president Aditya Narayan Choudhary, reported the New Indian Express.
The case relates to a video that surfaced from Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s Voter Adhikar Yatra in Darbhanga, where Rizvi allegedly used abusive language against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Police have booked him and other unidentified persons under relevant legal provisions.
The incident occurred on Wednesday, soon after Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav left for Muzaffarpur on motorcycles.
While BJP leaders have demanded strict action, questions are being raised over why similar accountability is not applied to leaders—including the Prime Minister himself—who have often been accused of making divisive or inflammatory remarks. Observers argue that hate speech by anyone should be condemned and dealt with equally under law, rather than selectively targeting individuals.
The Voter Adhikar Yatra is part of Congress’ campaign to mobilize voters ahead of the upcoming elections in Bihar.
