BJP alleged that this was a mud-slinging campaign against Narendra Modi government

MEERUT: Over-enthusiastic to ensure an open defecation-free (ODF) city, the Baghpat municipality has gone to the extent of announcing death penalty on those who relieve themselves in the open.

At least that’s what banners recently installed by the civic body convey. ‘If you defecate in the open, soon you will be killed,’ said the banners, which could be seen across the city. As the step drew heavy criticism from all quarters, civic authorities immediately went on the back foot, claiming it was an error by a designer.

The controversial banners have been removed as of Tuesday evening. Lalit Arya, executive officer of Baghpat Nagar Palika said, “In all 45 hoardings and banners were installed at various crossings. Only one of them was found to be containing the controversial line. It was done by mistake by one of the designers. We have instituted an inquiry against him.”

Locals are quite furious with the development. Riyazuddin Ahmad, a shopkeeper in front of whose establishment one of the hoardings has been placed said, “Are we really living in a democratic nation? This is so reflective of dictatorial tendencies. No one has the right to pass this kind of sentence and here a civic authority is doing it. And the officials say it is a mistake?”

Suraj Goel, a businessman said, “We welcome the government’s initiative to make the country ODF but passing such a stricture was uncalled for. You cannot enforce something like this by threatening to kill people.”

Sanjay Prajapati, a BJP leader said, “This is a mud-slinging campaign against the Modi government. The banners have been manipulated in such a manner that BJP’s image is tarnished. Currently, Baghpat Nagar Palika is being run by non-BJP councillors and that is the reason such hoardings have been placed.”

