Dead body of a 40-year-old man was found hanging at Jaipur’s Nahargarh fort on Friday. Initially, the cause of his death was linked to the anti-Padmavati protests because some of the messages written on the rocks talked of ‘protest against Padmavati’. However, a closer investigation at the site raises suspicion on whether it is the work of Islamists, a ploy to disturb communal harmony or an attempt to mislead police.
Here’s what we know
The man found hanging from the fort has been identified as Chetan Kumar Saini in reports. He was a local jeweler. The slogans on one of the stones read ‘Padmavati ka virodh (Opposing Padmavati), while on another it was written ‘Hum putle nahi jalate, latkate hain’ (we don’t burn effigies, we kill). It was thus suspected that the crime was the handiwork of those protesting against the film which primarily include Shri Rajput Karni Sena.
But a report by India Today and several Facebook posts raise questions because messages on other rocks hint at something entirely different.
One of them read that Chetan ‘Tantrik’ has been killed. (Chetan is the name of the deceased).
Some messages also seem to be an attempt to stoke communal tensions. One of them read, Har kafir ka yah haal hoga (each infidel will meet this fate). Another said, Jo kaafir ko maarega, allah ko pyaara ho jaega (one who kills infidels will become closer to God.)
It is yet to ascertain whether this was just a ploy to mislead police while taking advantage of the ongoing controversy over the film Padmavati which is facing the ire of Rajput groups. Karni Sena has however denied any involvement in the crime.
Here is the India Today video that shows all the messages.