Attacked for backing Hindutva: Swaminarayan Sect priest

Junagadh (Gujarat) : The Swaminarayan Sect priest has said he was attacked because of speaking for nationalism and Hindutva.

Two unidentified assailants had attacked Bhaktiprasad Swami with iron rods on late Thursday night in Kotda village of Visavdar tehsil in Junagadh district when he was returning after campaigning for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Talking to ANI from hospital bed, Bhaktiprasad said, "The attackers were fumed because I propagate Hindutva and nationalism. We are saints and if we won't speak on nationalism then will we speak on Pakistan? This attack is not only on me but on whole Hindu Sanatan sect."

He further added that "if being a nationalist is a crime then I would like to commit this crime time and again".

When asked about who was behind the attack on him, he didn't take the Congress party's name but said, "This is election time and everybody knows who are against the BJP and Hindutva. But, I want to tell them that such attacks are not going to deter us from propagating Hindutva and nationalism."

Recounting the attack on him, he said, "I was returning from conducting an election rally for the BJP. When we were going to Visavadar then all of sudden a car overtook and stopped in front of our car. By the time we could understand anything; the assailants smashed the windshield of our car with iron rod and started abusing us. When the passerby gathered there, the assailants fled the scene leaving behind their car."

He said the police have taken his statement and promised to take strict action against the culprits.