A worker of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) burnt himself while trying to set an effigy of All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) president Asaduddin Owaisi on fire during a protest in Kanpur today.

ABVP workers were protesting against Owaisi's remark that he will not chant Bharat Mata ki jai even if a knife is put to his throat.

Some members of the ABVP, a student organisation affiliated to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) had gathered at a busy intersection in Kanpur to protest against Owaisi.

Amid chanting of Bharat Mata ki jai, one of the protesting men tried to set Owaisi's effigy on fire. While setting ablaze the effigy, his shirt also caught fire. The man struggled hard to take off his burning shirt and was finally rescued by other ABVP members.



WATCH: ABVP worker catches fire while burning Asaduddin Owaisi's effigy in Kanpur.https://t.co/efATxD6kee ANI (@ANI_news) March 16, 2016

The man, who is yet to be identified, suffered some injuries in the freak accident has been admitted to a local hospital.

"Nowhere in the Constitution it says that one should say: Bharat Mata ki Jai," Owaisi had said.

Owaisi's assertion came days after RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat said the new generation needed to be taught to chant slogans hailing mother India. Owaisi's remarks drew sharp criticism from the RSS, the BJP and Shiv Sena.

"I don't chant that slogan. What are you going to do, Bhagwat sahab," Owaisi had said at the rally in Udgir tehsil of Latur district in Maharashtra on Sunday.

"Will not chant Bharat Mata ki jai' even if a knife is put to my throat," he added.

Also read:

Won't say Bharat Mata ki jai: Asaduddin Owaisi to Mohan Bhagwat

New generation must be told to say 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai': RSS chief

I am a proud Indian, says Asaduddin Owaisi

Bharat Mata ki jai: In his Parliament farewell speech, Javed Akhtar takes on Owaisi

