Former Bureaucrats' Letter Against MP Pragya Thakur: Demands Lok Sabha Speaker Take Action For 'Hate Speech'

A group of 103 former bureaucrats have written a letter against the BJP MP from Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, Pragya Singh Thakur, demanding action from the Lok Sabha Speaker and the Ethics Committee. It states that Pragya, while delivering an alleged hate speech in Shivamogga, Karnataka, urged Hindus to lay down arms.
The letter from the former officers said that it appears that he chose his words cleverly to avoid the criminal charges being levelled against him, as his speech could only be seen as a call for 'self-defence'. The letter alleged that she was clearly telling Hindus that they have to fear attacks from non-Hindus. However, the word 'Muslim' was not used.
The signatories to the letter include Anita Agnihotri, former secretary in the Social Justice Department of the central government, Salahuddin Ahmed, former chief secretary of Rajasthan, SP Ambrose, additional secretary in the Union transport ministry.
The letter states that by her provocative words, Pragya Thakur has not only committed several offences under the Indian Penal Code but has also violated the oath taken by her as a Member of Parliament to uphold the Constitution of India, which is based on the rights to life and liberty.
The letter also mentions the petition of some social organizations asking the Lok Sabha Speaker to disqualify Pragya as an MP. It added, "We in the Constitutional Practices Group also strongly believe that strict action should be taken against them as per the rules of the Lok Sabha."
The letter alleged that society has become "habituated" to hate speech against minorities. The letter states that the police in Shivamogga have registered an FIR against him. We hope that they will move swiftly to file the charge sheet in court.