Deep Mukherjee 
Jaipur: The Bikaner police in Bharatiya Janata Party-ruled Rajasthan on Saturday detained Usman Ghani, expelled former district president of the BJP minority morcha for ‘breach of peace’ and took him into preventive custody, said officials.
Ghani was recently in news after a video of him went viral on social media, wherein while speaking with News24, he had criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the statements he had made at a rally in Banswara earlier this month. Following his comments on the prime minister’s speech, the BJP had expelled Ghani.
The Bikaner police said that Ghani was taken into preventive custody after he ‘misbehaved and entered into a confrontation with police officials’ at the Mukta Prasad Nagar police station.
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“A few days back, a police vehicle had gone to the area of his residence to check if he is fine and is safe, after his statements resulted in criticism and strong reactions. It was a routine process, as we went to only check his well being. Today, he arrived at the Mukta Prasad Nagar police station and demanded to know why the police vehicle had gone to his house. When we explained to him that it was a routine process, Ghani misbehaved with police officials and entered into a confrontation. We had to detain him under section 151 CrPC as there was a risk that Ghani would commit some cognisable offence. We took him into preventive custody,” said Dhirendra Shekhawat, SHO, Mukta Prasad Nagar police station, Bikaner.
Speaking to News24, Ghani had earlier said that he was disappointed by Modi’s comments made in Banswara, and as a Muslim member of the BJP, he is asked questions by the Muslim community when he goes to seek votes. PM Modi’s comments had resulted in widespread criticism from the opposition.
Bikaner city district BJP president Vijay Acharya had confirmed that Ghani was expelled following his statements.