Karni Sena’s district president on Tuesday announced a cash reward of Rs 5.51 lakh for anyone who “cuts off and brings” the tongue of Nishad Party national president and cabinet minister Sanjay Nishad for his statement on Ballia, allegedly insulting the history of the district.Congress has also submitted a complaint at the Bansdih Kotwali seeking an FIR against the minister.
The controversy began after a video of Nishad’s speech at a party workers’ meeting in Bansdih on Saturday went viral.
In the video, the minister is heard saying, “Here, many people were ‘dalal’ (agents) of the British. The system of dalali (brokerage) continued and still does. That is why Ballia is still ruined. Otherwise, Ballia was the ‘Baghi Ballia’ (rebellious Ballia)… people here drove out the British and freed the nation.”
The remarks triggered fierce criticism from opposition parties and locals, who accused the minister of insulting the district’s history and freedom fighters.