Devraj from Lakhimpur Kheri apologizes after hate slogans against Muslims

Acknowledging the gravity of his actions, Devraj has issued a public apology to the Muslim community. The statement from Devraj came a day after he called for genocide of the community. His statement emphasizes remorse, aiming to mitigate the communal discord that his slogans may have exacerbated.

Here’s what he said:

उत्तर प्रदेश : जिला लखीमपुर खीरी में बांग्लादेश हिंसा के खिलाफ हिन्दू संगठनों ने जुलूस निकाला। इसमें मुसलमानों को लेकर आपत्तिजनक नारे लगाए गए।

नारे लगाने वाले देवराज ने अब मुसलमानों से माफी मांगी है। pic.twitter.com/LrGsEiq9yZ

— Sachin Gupta (@SachinGuptaUP) August 14, 2024

What is the incident all about?

On Tuesday, the troubling video emerged from Sumer Nagar in Lakhimpur Kheri, capturing a group of young boys, led by Devraj Singh, engaging in communal hate speech. The video instantly went viral, and reveals the intense animosity harboured by these individuals towards Muslims, with Devraj Singh at the forefront, inciting violence and fostering communal discord.

In the video, Devraj Singh is heard urging Hindus to "take up arms" and "protect Hindus," using inflammatory language designed to provoke violence and deepen religious divisions. He declares, "The betel nut has been cut, the part has been cut," followed by the incendiary statement, "Katua ran away to Pakistan." Such rhetoric is dangerously divisive, aimed at fueling hatred between religious communities and escalating tensions in the region.

Devraj’s apology is seen as a step toward restoring peace and harmony in the region, which has experienced heightened communal sensitivities due to the incident. The local administration and community leaders are also working to defuse the situation, urging residents to maintain unity and avoid actions that could further inflame tensions.