A big controversy has erupted on social media after the court of judicial magistrate Manish Kumar Singh ordered a 19-year old girl, Richa Bharti to distribute five copies of the Quran to government-owned educational institutions. It also asked the teenage girl to donate a copy of the holy Islamic book to complainant Mansur Khalifa, a member of Sadar Anjuman Committee. Richa’s lawyer Ramparvesh Singh spoke about the development, stating, “Directing her to donate the books within a fortnight in presence of police authorities and submit a compliance report, the court granted bail to Richa on the condition that she would furnish two sureties of Rs 7,000 each.” Bharti has also been asked to submit the receipts of distributed copies to the Court within 15 days.
As the outrage over the issue continued, many social media users questioned the apparent invisibility BJP leaders from the discourse. However, the party seems to have extended support to Richa Bharti along with several pro-Hindu organizations. Several leaders of the BJP have also come out in support of the 19-year-old girl and have been meeting her and her family pitching their support. Reportedly, the convener of BJP legal cell in Jharkhand, Vinod Kumar Sahu, also paid a visit to Richa Bharti and assured her of support. Mr. Sahu had pointed out that no official copy of the judgment is available now and further decisions will be taken after the copy is received.
https://twitter.com/__shek/status/1151378578266701825
Also joining the list is Jharkhand BJP spokesperson Pratul Sahadev who met Richa at her Residence in Pithoria and also assured support for her. The BJP leader also met the family members and lawyers representing Richa.
Various other senior leaders of BJP also raised voices of support for the 19-year-old. Senior BJP leader and Rajya Sabha MP Subramanian Swamy, taking note of the developments, tweeted “I hope Richa Bharti contacts @Ish_Bhandari . He is the best for this issue and I will help him in court. Distribution of Koran means approval of sections which talk of Kafirs and consequences. Richa is fighting for all genuine Hindus. We cannot circulate theology of others”
I hope Richa Bharti contacts @Ish_Bhandari . He is the best for this issue and I will help him in court. Distribution of Koran means approval of sections which talk of Kafirs and consequences. Richa is fighting for all genuine Hindus. We cannot circulate theology of others
— Subramanian Swamy (@Swamy39) July 17, 2019
General Secretary BJP Karnataka, Shobha Karndlaje also came forward and supported the first-year college student Richa Bharti, She tweeted “It’s ridiculous to order Rich Bharti to distribute Quran as a condition for her bail. Would anyone dare to ask a Mohammed to distribute Gita?? Today it’s Richa, tomorrow it might be any of us, let’s all stand with #RichaBharti.”
https://twitter.com/ShobhaBJP/status/1151167651189645313
Delhi BJP Spokesperson Tajinder Pal Singh Bagga also pitched for supporting Richa for filing a petition.
“If anyone have contact number of Richa Bharti Pls DM . Will help in filing petition in Supreme Court.”
If anyone have contact number of Richa Bharti Pls DM . Will help in filing petition in Supreme Court.
— Tajinder Bagga (Modi Ka Parivar) (@TajinderBagga) July 16, 2019
Contrary to the rumors on social media, many BJP leaders have voiced their support for Richa Bharti. Prominent leaders of Jharkhand BJP have also assured support and legal aid to the brave 19-year old girl.