- Chirag Paswan received a death threat by post.
- Threat warned of being killed by "hardcore terrorists."
- Office requested urgent security review and investigation.
Union minister Chirag Paswan received a death threat through an unsigned communication sent to him by post on Tuesday, warning that he would be “killed shortly by hardcore terrorists”. Paswan, president of the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), is currently protected by a nationwide Z-category security cover.
Following the receipt of the threatening note, his Additional Private Secretary, Alok Kumar, wrote to the Union Home Secretary, drawing attention to the “matter of grave concern” regarding the “personal security” of the Union Minister for Food Processing Industries.
According to the communication, the sender warned that the Union Minister would soon be killed by "hardcore terrorists".
In a letter addressed to the Union Home Secretary, Kumar said the matter concerned the personal security of the Union Minister, who is currently under Z-category security cover provided by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
"I am directed to bring to your urgent attention a matter of grave concern regarding the personal security of the Hon'ble Union Minister for Food Processing Industries, who is currently under Z-category security cover provided by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India," the letter stated.
According to the letter, an unsigned communication containing two mobile numbers was received at the Ministry on Tuesday.
"Upon opening the same, it was found to contain a direct threat to the life of the Union Minister of Food Processing Industries. The threatening portion of the communication, excluding the mobile numbers mentioned therein, reads, "You will be killed shortly by hardcore terrorists," Kumar said.
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"The contents of the communication, particularly the direct nature of the threat and the reference to 'hardcore terrorists', are a matter of grave concern and give rise to serious apprehensions regarding the safety and security of the Hon'ble Minister," the letter said.
Paswan's office requested the Union Home Secretary to take up the matter on an urgent basis and initiate a thorough investigation into the origin, authenticity and circumstances surrounding the threatening communication.
"In view of the above, I am directed to request that the matter may kindly be taken up on an urgent basis and a thorough investigation into the origin, authenticity and circumstances of the threatening communication may be initiated without delay," Kumar said.
The office also sought a review of the minister's existing security arrangements and their augmentation, if considered necessary, in view of the reported threat perception and his scheduled public engagements.
The matter has been requested to be accorded "utmost urgency and priority".
Two Days After Manjhi-Paswan Clash Over SC Quota
The development comes two days after Paswan, on August 30, demanded the resignations of Hindustani Awam Morcha (Secular) founder and Union minister Jitan Ram Manjhi and his son, Bihar minister Santosh Kumar Suman, for advocating a review of Scheduled Caste (SC) reservation.
Paswan stressed that reservation is not charity but a constitutional right rooted in historical untouchability and social discrimination, and not an economic measure open to periodic review.
The flashpoint is the call for reviewing SC/ST quotas and introducing sub-categorisation.
In response, Manjhi said, “It is not us, but Chirag Paswan who should resign, as he is unable to understand the point Santosh and I have been making in the broader interests of Dalits.”