Bihar: Amit Shah's Programme In Sasaram Cancelled; State BJP Blames 'Incompetence Of State Administration'

Union Home Minister Amit Shah was scheduled to take part in a function in Sasaram of Bihar. The event has now been cancelled following communal violence in the town.

Like other parts of India, Sasaram too saw rioting on Rama Navami, 30 March, Thursday, which continued into Friday as well.

The Sasaram event was supposed to mark the birth anniversary of Ashoka, the Mauryan Emperor who is considered an OBC icon in contemporary Bihar.

State BJP leaders alleged that the Bihar administration deliberately imposed Section 144 of CrPC in Sasaram to obstruct Shah's function.

However, the Nitish Kumar government denied these accusations.

According to reports, Dharmendra Kumar, the Rohtas District Magistrate, has clarified that no order to impose Section 144 was ever passed by him or Sub Divisional Magistrate.

However, Bihar BJP leaders shared videos of police telling people to stay indoors, declaring "Section 144 has been imposed".

The police personnel are reported to have claimed it was only a tactic to gain control of the situation.

Nonetheless, the BJP registered its protest by submitting a memorandum to the Governor at Raj Bhavan.

Nearly 30 senior leaders, such as Samrat Choudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha, signed a memorandum that blamed the cancellation of Shah's program on the administration's failure and extreme incompetence.

Himraj Ram, spokesperson for JD(U), however claimed that the BJP cancelled Shah's program in Sasaram due to concern about managing large crowds.

Shah's Bihar visit marks his fourth since BJP lost power last year when Kumar joined the Mahagathbandhan of the RJD, Congress, and the Left.