Mentioning that BJP MP Yogi Adityanath used Lord Ram's name to gather votes for party candidate, the Election Commission (EC) on Tuesday issued a show-cause notice asking him to explain why action should not be taken against him.
Giving an ultimatum of two days, the EC asked Adityanath to put in his reply before 6 pm on 10 September. The EC said that prima facie, he has violated the model code of conduct while delivering anti-religious and hate speeches at an election campaign for assembly elections in Noida.
Listing out excerpts from his past speeches, the EC pointed out to him that he made hate speeches, which may provoke communal tensions and clashes between different communities and reminded him that he indulged into a "corrupt practice" by seeking votes on religious grounds, The Financial Express reported.
"India's belief lays in Lord Ram. He is a symbol of India's nationality. Whosoever believes in Lord Ram and wants to establish Ram rajya in UP, I urge them that on 13 September, every vote should be cast in favour of the BJP," Adityanath had said in one of his speeches.
Pointing out at another such incident, the EC said that Adityanath had allegedly said that in Moradabad, loudspeakers were removed from the temples and installed in Mosques and people protesting against it were jailed.
Threatening people of other religion, Adityanath allegedly said "those who trouble Hindus with riots will have to pay dearly."
