Do Not Communalise, Politicise the Death: Ankit Saxena’s Father

Ankit Saxena.

(Photo Courtesy: Facebook/Ankit Saxena)

Ankit Saxena, a 23-year-old man from Delhi, was beaten and stabbed to death in public view reportedly by his alleged Muslim girlfriend’s family on Thursday night.

Saxena’s father has condemned the “communal” reportage of the event, saying that they have no hatred towards any community and only want justice.

Saxena, who is a Hindu, had been reportedly dating the girl for the last three years. According to the police their courtship had been against the wishes of the girl’s parents. According to Caravan Daily, the local police have arrested the girl's father, mother, uncle and minor brother.

I had one son. If I get justice, it’s good. If not, even then I don’t have hatred against any community. I have no such (communal) thinking. I am unable to understand why the media is showing this issue in that way.

Ankit Saxena’s Father, as reported by Caravan Daily

He, however, demanded that his son’s murderers be awarded capital punishment.

There are reports of communal tension in parts of west Delhi following the incident. According to The Indian Express, tension spread in Raghubir Nagar after the murder as locals gathered outside Saxena’s house in large numbers. While Saxena’s mother wept surrounded by women from the locality, residents demanded swift justice as fears of communal tension heightened.

Delhi BJP Chief Manoj Tiwari visited Ankit’s family later in the day, and urged people to not communalise the murder. He also demanded that the family be given Rs 1 crore as compensation.

He didn’t go to any girl’s house. Communal angle shouldn’t be given to organised crime. His family has lost their only earning member and so I want a compensation of Rs 1 crore for them.

On Friday evening, police had deployed a commando unit and more than two dozen policemen. At every corner, BSF personnel were posted at strategic pickets near the house of the girlfriend’s family, the funeral site and around Saxena’s house.

The girl’s family allegedly attacked Ankit, a photographer by profession, when he was returning home from work, at a crossing near his house. The attackers reportedly slashed Ankit’s neck with a sharp weapon after beating him up.

Passersby immediately alerted Ankit’s mother of the attack, and she rushed out of the house to see her son being stabbed.

During the investigation, we found that they caught and stabbed Ankit in the neck. The woman’s family was against their relationship as they belonged to different communities and had warned Ankit against associating with her.

Senior police officer Vijay Kumar to NDTV

The couple reportedly became close when Ankit lived near their family years ago, and continued their courtship even after he moved away. The 20-year-old girl is a second-year correspondence student at a city college.

‘People are Making False Claims’: Ankit Saxena’s Father

"We have no lust and no hatred against anyone," says Ankit's father, in a report published by Caravan Daily.

Distraught by media reportage of the event, Ankit Saxena's family appealed to the press and the politicians to not communalise and politicise the incident.

According to Caravan Daily, Anjkit's father Yashpal was speaking to Delhi BJP President Manoj Tiwari on Saturday evening.

Tiwari had come to visit Ankit's family on Saturday evening.

“They (media persons) come and talk to me so softly and lovingly but show something else on TV. My relatives, neighbors come and tell me about what is being shown on TV channels. They are using words like ‘premi’, ‘Muslim’, ‘Mazhab’ and twisting facts. All are making just stories,” Ankit’s father is seen speaking in another video captured on mobile, reported by The Caravan Daily.

In the 2-minute video, a young relative of Yashpal has also expresses his disdain for the way the media is narrating the whole incident:

Media is taking it as a joke. They are showing him (Ankit) as one going on scooter and from behind a Muslim stabbing him. What the hell is it? Big headlines are flashing like ‘Horror Murder in Delhi’.

The father also pointed out that people were making false claims.

Someone said that girl’s mother had called him (Ankit). All this is false and fake.

The family requested people, in the presence of Manoj Tiwari, to not come just for photo-op, reported Caravan Daily.

“We want only justice, no money no help,” said the relative and with folded hands.

If anyone is joining us they should join us by heart. If someone is coming only for photo-op, then Sir, we will fight our case ourselves. We have already lodged a case. Sir, if you have come here, that should be only for justice.

The father also said that he hopes "Manoj ji" will help him get justice.

Delhi CM Extends Support

Delhi Chief Minister (CM) Arvind Kejriwal took to Twitter to share his grief at what had happened and extend his support to Ankit’s family. In his Tweet, the CM wrote that he has spoken to Ankit’s father and that the Delhi Government will leave no stone unturned to ensure that justice is delivered to Ankit’s family.

I have spoken to Ankit’s father. This incident deserves the strongest of criticisms. The Delhi Government is going to bring the best lawyers to ensure that Ankit gets justice. We will do everything possible to ensure that the perpetrators get penalised severely. I pray to God to give strength to Anikt’s family. We are with them in this.

Arvind Kejriwal, on Twitter