Bar Amit Shah from making speeches: CPI-M

The CPI-M Sunday urged the Election Commission to bar BJP leader Amit Shah from addressing election meetings after providing evidence of his "hate speeches" in Uttar Pradesh.

The CPI-M also said a police complaint should be lodged by the poll panel against Shah and others "identified in the footage making hate speeches".

The Communist Party of India-Marxist said Shah had not only violated the model election code of conduct but made himself liable for criminal action.

Shah is a close aide of BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi and the party's election manager in Uttar Pradesh.

A pen drive submitted by the CPI-M quoted Shah as telling voters in Raajhara village in Shamli district April 3: "We must seek revenge for the insult heaped on us (Hindus)."

"A man can live without food or sleep. He can live when he's thirsty and hungry. But when he's insulted, he can't live," he is quoted as saying.

At a meeting of Jats in Shamli town, Shah is quoted as saying: "(This) is an election for honour, for seeking revenge for the insult, and for teaching a lesson to those who committed injustice."

He also justified the Muzaffarnagar riots last year, which left over 60 people dead and thousands of Muslims homeless, claiming it took place for the "honour of (Hindu) women".

"This election will be a reply to those who have been ill-treating our mothers and sisters."

In another speech clearly aimed at Muslims, Shah said: "People who were beggars have become (millionaires) running 'butcher khanas'... The BJP is going to stop this. Please understand what (this) means."