Bengaluru: While there has been a strong criticism over  the shooting incidents in Jamia and Shaheen Bagh, and rightly so, another Hindu activist - Ranjit Bachchan – of the lesser known Vishva Hindu Mahasabha was killed while he was taking his morning stroll, today (February 2) as reported by India Today. 

Ranjit Bachchan was taking a stroll in Hazratganj in the morning when bike-borne assailants opened fire on him and killed him on the spot. The Mahasabha leader was shot in the head multiple times.

The incident took place near the CDRI building in Lucknow's Hazratganj.

In the firing, Ranjit Bachchan's brother also suffered bullet injuries. He had been rushed to the trauma centre. Ranjit Bachchan was a resident of Gorakhpur. 

Dinesh Singh, DCP Central Lucknow, said, "The body has been identified as of Ranjit Bachchan, who had gone out on morning walk when some unknown assailant shot him. A police team has been formed and further investigation is being carried out."

Before being associated with the Mahasabha, Ranjit Bachchan was a Samajwadi Party member and was often spotted with former UP chief minister Akhilesh Yadav.

Another website added that a sub-inspector of police, who is a member of the investigation team, revealed that the assailants tried to snatch Ranjeet Bachchan's gold chain and cellphone during the attack.

“In the scuffle, the assailants fired on Ranjeet Bachchan's head, who died on the spot. In the firing, Ranjeet was injured and was rushed to Trauma Centre,” as quoted by the website. 

Also Read: Hindu leader shot dead in Lucknow

A few months ago, another Hindu activist Kamlesh Tiwari was shot dead in Lucknow. Tiwari was shot near his residence in Khurshid Bagh by his acquaintance. 

The greater question that remains unanswered is: Is there a ploy to assassinate Hindu leaders and silence them in order to create threat and issue intimidation?