CM comes out in support of ex-colleague, seeks Rajnath intervention; BJP slams reaction
CM comes out in support of ex-colleague, seeks Rajnath intervention; BJP slams reaction
Calling the Delhi police’s action against the former Aam Aadmi Party leader Yogendra Yadav as “barbaric”, chief minister Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday came out in support of the leader and sought Union home minister Rajnath Singh’s intervention in the matter. Mr Kejriwal’s backing for Mr Yadav comes despite a bitter public falling out with him four months ago, leading to the latter’s ouster from the Aam Aadmi Party.
“We condemn the way the police behaved with Yogendra Yadav and his supporters. This is not right as peaceful demonstration is a fundamental right under Article 19 of the Constitution and we condemn such barbaric action against peaceful protesters by the police. I appeal to home minister Rajnath Singh to interfere in the matter and ask for a report regarding the issue,” Mr Kejriwal said.
The BJP, however, slammed such reactions. The demonstration organised by Yogendra Yadav without intimating the Delhi police sounds too “melodramatic and filmy”, which now stands exposed, BJP leaders said. Delhi BJP president Satish Upadhyay said, “Today the Delhi chief minister talks of democratic rights and condemns police action, but people have not forgotten the barbaric treatment Mr Kejriwal had himself meted out to fellow comrade Yogendra Yadav while expelling him from the Aam Aadmi Party at the Kapashera meet earlier this year.”
Following Mr Kejriwal, a large number of AAP leaders and supporters also expressed their solidarity with their former colleague Mr Yadav. “India is a democracy. Citizens have a right to protest peacefully. The police have no business to ill-treat Yogendra Yadav/supporters. Condemn it. (sic),” AAP leader Ashutosh tweeted.
However, AAP leader Sanjay Singh, along with other party supporters, who tried to meet Mr Yadav at the Parliament Street police station to extend their support, was heckled and shouted at by the supporters of the rebel leader. Mr Yadav was arrested, along with 85 volunteers of his Swaraj Abhiyan, during a protest on farmers’ issue at Jantar Mantar as the police thwarted their planned rally to the Race Course.
Swaraj Abhiyan, a group formed by expelled AAP leaders, had undertaken Jai Kisan Andolan, a farmers’ agitation against the alleged “anti-peasants” policies of the Centre. The protesters alleged that the policemen manhandled Mr Yadav and other volunteers during the crackdown in the wee hours, a charge denied by the police, which said it was a preventive arrest as they were planning to take out a rally without permission in the high-security area.
