Azam Khan had kicked up a storm with his offensive remarks against the army. (File)
Samajwadi Party leader Azam Khan has been booked for sedition for his alleged derogatory comments against the Army. FIRs were registered against Mr Khan at Chandpur and Civil Lines police stations. While in Meerut, local Bajrang Dal leaders filed a complaint against the controversial former Uttar Pradesh minister.
An FIR has been registered against Mr Khan under sections related to sedition, abetting mutiny and public mischief at Chandpur police station yesterday, Station Officer Ajay Kumar Singh told news agency PTI.
The case was registered following a complaint by Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Anil Pandey.
"The second FIR was registered at Civil Lines police station in Rampur on a complaint filed by Akash Saxena, president of District Industries Association and son of former BJP minister Shiv Bahadur Saxena," Rampur station in-charge Rajesh Kumar Solanki said.
On June 27, former UP minister Azam Khan had kicked up a storm with his offensive remarks against the army. Addressing party leaders in Rampur, the Samajwadi Party leader blamed the army for "shameful violent incidents" in parts of the country, inviting widespread backlash.
Meanwhile, VHP's district secretary in Shahajahanpur, Rajesh Kumar Awasthi announced a cash reward of Rs 50 lakh to the one who would "severe the tongue" of the Samajwadi Party leader.
In response, Azam Khan's supporters also lodged a complaint against people from the Vishwa Hindu Parishad in Ganj police station in Rampur for issuing such threatening rewards against their leader, which they termed as "rude and uncivilised."
UP minister Buldev Singh Aulakh from the BJP said the state government has taken cognisance of Mr Khan's remarks and action will be taken soon. "Azam Khan has lost his mind. His remarks amount to lowering the morale of army personnel which is an insult to the entire country as well," he said in Rampur.