Madhya Pradesh Congress president Jitu Patwari’s vehicle came under attack by stone-pelting protesters in Ratlam district on Sunday, following which he said he was attacked for raising his voice against rising drug abuse in the state.
“If you can kill me and stop drug abuse, then please have me murdered,” he said, addressing Chief Minister Mohan Yadav.
However, the BJP said the incident took place amid a protest organised by members of the Dhakad community, who were angry at Patwari’s use of “abusive language” that they found objectionable.
The protesters showed black flags to the Congress leader’s convoy and pelted stones at his vehicle. While Patwari escaped unharmed, his car’s rear windshield was shattered in the attack.
The Dhakad community’s anger stems from recent controversial statements made by Patwari. He tried to calm tempers and tried to speak to some of the protesters.
Later, at a rally in Ratlam against alleged “vote theft”, Patwari claimed that many of the men accused of drug peddling had photos taken with senior BJP leaders, and that there was a connection between them and the ruling party.
“When I ask these questions, Mohan Yadav doesn’t like it. When I said Mohan Bhaiya, we have to stop this drug abuse, you are our Chief Minister, he criticises me, he abuses me, and they try to scare me. Should I be scared? The limit was crossed today when a BJP mandal president pelted a stone at my vehicle. He tried to stop me with sticks. Mohan Bhaiya, this is not the picture of Madhya Pradesh. If you can kill me and stop drug abuse, then please have me murdered. But stop these drugs,” Patwari said.
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BJP spokesperson Ashish Aggarwal said that members of the Dhakad community in Ratlam protested against Patwari’s “abusive language” by waving black flags. Aggarwal alleged that while Patwari initially apologised after stepping out of the vehicle, he later staged “drama” in front of the media.
“Respected Jitu Patwari ji, you face no threat under BJP rule,” Aggarwal claimed, adding that the real danger for the Congress leader came from the “snakes hidden within his own party”.
