The political landscape in Varanasi has intensified as two additional First Information Reports (FIRs) were registered against Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee President Ajay Rai. The charges stem from alleged derogatory remarks made against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The FIRs were lodged on Saturday night by Varanasi residents Sunita Soni and Aryan Pandya at the Chowk police station. Rai has been booked under Section 352 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which pertains to intentional insults intended to provoke a breach of the peace. The complainants asserted that Rai's comments hurt public sentiment by insulting and abusing PM Modi, who holds a constitutional position and is widely regarded as the most popular leader of the current era.
Earlier on Saturday, a separate FIR had been filed by BJP functionary Neeraj Rawat. Rawat accused Rai of making objectionable remarks against PM Modi and violating public order during a political gathering in Mahoba on Friday. In response, Ajay Rai has maintained that a purported video showing him making the alleged remarks is "AI-generated."
On Sunday, Uttar Pradesh government ministers and BJP office bearers convened a joint press conference at the party office in Varanasi to denounce Rai's remarks. They emphasized that Modi represents the city in the Lok Sabha, making the comments particularly egregious. State Minister Ravindra Jaiswal demanded stringent action against those using undignified language against the Prime Minister. He noted that numerous cases are registered against Rai and that the public has repeatedly rejected him in elections, yet he continues to disregard public sentiment.
Minister Hansraj Vishwakarma echoed these sentiments, stating that the Prime Minister is a popular leader in India and globally, and the use of derogatory language against such a leader should be considered a serious offense. Kashi Regional Unit President Dilip Singh Patel alleged that Rai has lost his mental balance. Patel further claimed that Rai, already struggling with a criminal image and involvement in multiple criminal cases, is using politics to shield himself from legal action.
Varanasi Mayor Ashok Tiwari highlighted the extensive development undertaken in Varanasi under PM Modi's leadership. He asserted that the use of abusive language against the Prime Minister constitutes an insult to the people of Varanasi. BJP City President Pradeep Agrahari called upon the district administration and police to take action against Rai. The press conference was also addressed by Minister Dayashankar Mishra Dayalu, MLAs Neelkanth Tiwari and Saurabh Srivastava, and MLC Dharmendra Singh.
Rai's Wife Rejects Allegations, Points to Political Vendetta
In a countermove, Ajay Rai's wife Reena came to her husband's defense, accusing the BJP of orchestrating a political vendetta. She claimed that the central and state governments are attempting to tarnish Rai's clean image using an AI-generated video. Reena, accompanied by Congress city unit president Raghavendra Chaubey and district chief Rajeshwar Patel, addressed a press conference in Varanasi on Sunday evening.
She stated that Rai had gone to Mahoba to meet the survivor of a gangrape and torture of a Dalit NEET aspirant and to assure her family of his support in their fight for justice. Reena argued that this move perturbed the BJP, prompting the party to take action against him out of political vendetta. She emphasized that Rai has consistently raised issues concerning women, youth, farmers, laborers, Dalits, and the marginalized, which has made the BJP uncomfortable.
The controversy continues to unfold as both sides remain entrenched in their positions. The Congress party has vowed to support Rai, while the BJP insists on legal action. The situation underscores the charged political atmosphere in Uttar Pradesh ahead of upcoming elections.
