Chhattisgarh Home Minister Tamradhwaj Sahu said on Wednesday that stern action should be taken against BJP official spokesperson Sambit Patra, as the state police served a third notice to him on charges of abusing Congress leaders.
“He has been involved in making offensive comments against Congress leaders,” Sahu told the media.
Sahu said: “Leaders of political parties should keep restraint while speaking and their behaviour should also reflect constraint. One may not consider the leader of another party in high esteem but for those within that party the leader is held in high esteem."
“The policy of give respect, gain respect works. Only then self-respect will be gained. Sambit Patra has used abusive words. Therefore the notice has been sent,” he said.
The Civil Lines police station in Raipur city, based on a complaint of Congress leaders, sent the notice to Patra directing him to appear before them by June 8. It is the third such notice issued to Patra.
National Students Union of India (NSUI) state President Akash Sharma and Youth Congress President Purna Chandra Padhi had lodged a complaint at the Civil Lines Police station against Patra.
The allegations is that on May 10, Patra, through his Twitter account, made objectionable comments related to the 1984 anti-Sikh riots, Jawaharlal Nehru and Rajiv Gandhi. Based on the complaint, the police have registered a complaint for investigation.
The first notice was issued on May 19 and the second on June 2. On both times, Patra did not appear before the police after which a third one has been issued.