A city-based youth presently on the United States tour made an offensive remark against Sindhi community requesting Indoreans not to vote for BJP candidate Shankar Lalwani as he is a “Sindhi dalal” (broker). Shreyas Jhawar’s remark-cum-appeal went viral on social media after his friend shot a video of his appeal and released it on WhatsApp.
Jhawar was booked by Indore police on Wednesday on complaint of advocate Pankaj Wadhwani who claimed that the remark has hurt sentiments of Sindhi community. Shreyas, stated to be son of a builder, during a pool party in the US made a video appeal wherein he requested voters to vote for Congress candidate Pankaj Sanghvi and not Lalwani.
He alleged that Lalwani while being Indore Development Authority chairman made money for the then chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and kept the commission with himself. He alleged that Lalwani is a “Sindhi dalal” and people of Indore should not vote for such people.
He stated that people should vote for Sanghvi who is pro- development. He stated that Sanghvi family has developed colonies like Pragati Vihar and that their “stomach is full” (have enough money). “So instead of voting for “Sindhi dalals”, people should vote for Congress whose government is in power in state and will come to power at Centre.” “I will vote for Sanghvi and you should also do so,” he said. He concluded by saying “shoot these Sindhis”.
After going through the video, Tukoganj police booked Shreyas under Section 125 (promoting enmity between classes in connection with election) of Representation of People Act, Section 506 (for threat) of IPC, and Section 66 of IT Act.
Tenders apology
After police complaint, another video was circulated on social media wherein Shreyas Jhawar tendered apology to Sindhi community. “A video featuring me circulated on social media, which has hurt sentiments of Sindhi community members as some objections words were used by me. I want to clarify that the video was not intended to hurt sentiments of Sindhi community members. Please forgive me,” he said.
