Two Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leaders have been charged under the Gangsters Act for allegedly trying to create communal tension in the twin cities of Ayodhya and Faizabad during Dusshera for the last two years. Gyan Kesarwani, vice-president of VHP’s local unit, and Ashok Kumar Gupta, another leader of the outfit, were arrested on October 2 in this connection.
Additional District Judge R S Yadav on October 8 ordered framing of charges under the Gangster Act against the duo. According to the police, the duo had been running a gang involved in criminal activities for some years and used to commit crimes during festivals with an aim to create communal tension. “On the occasion of Ram Baraat, Ram Vivaah and Dusshera, Kesarwani and his gang spread rumours that meat pieces were thrown on the route the procession was to take,” said Senior Superintendent of Police R K S Rathore.