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Just as Varun Gandhi was marching out of the Etah jail Thursday evening, Uttar Pradesh chief minister Mayawati made it a point to issue him a clear-cut warning to behave or be prepared to face more music.
While Varun's release on a parole followed directions of the Supreme Court , Mayawati sought to make it loud and clear that if Varun Gandhi indulged in any more hate speeches, he would be dealt with more severely.
"We may have to use more stringent laws if Varun violates the terms of the affidavit that he had sworn before the apex court following which he was granted reprieve," Mayawati told a hurriedly convened press conference .
She said, "We opposed Varun's parole tooth and nail , but the Supreme Court decided to grant the parole, so we must abide by it .'
According to her, "Varun's assurance in the form of an affidavit could hardly be relied upon ; after all former UP chief minister Kalyan Singh, too, swore a similar affidavit giving an explicit undertaking to the Supreme Court that he would protect the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya , but eventually the mosque was demolished ; mind you this Varun also belongs to the same BJP."
Reiterating her government's decision to slap NSA on BJP's new-found 'Hindutva' mascot, the chief minister said, "Clearly, Varun caused serious disturbance to the public order and his utterances were clearly aimed at inciting communal disharmony that deserved to be tackled with an iron hand and we did it."
She sought to add, "Our stand has always been very clear that anyone -- no matter how high and mighty -- would not be spared if he indulged in violating the law ; sure enough Varun Gandhi could notn have been allowed to go scot-free simply because he belonged to the Gandhi family."