New Delhi: Azad Samaj Party chief and Dalit leader Chandrashekhar Azad Ravan on Friday said that he and his supporters will gherao the residence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi if the “culprits“ in the Lakhimpur Kheri case are not arrested within seven days.
“The prime minister tweets on every issue but he is yet to react on the killing of the farmers. The culprits are roaming free. We will gherao the PM's residence if the culprits are not arrested within seven days,” Chandrashekhar Azad said at a press conference, as quoted by news agency PTI.
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Targetting the Prime Minister, the Azad Samaj Party leader said that “PM Modi was celebrating ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ in Lucknow when the families of farmers were in mourning”.
“Those who are mum on the killing of farmers cannot be loyal to the country. The prime minister should talk to farmers, go to Lakhimpur Kheri and meet family members of slain farmers,” he added.
The Dalit leader drew a parallel between the October 3 violence and the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, saying that it will have huge repercussions in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly Elections next year.
He alleged there is no law and order in Uttar Pradesh and demanded that CM Adityanath tender his resignation. He also voiced support for the demand for a caste census, stating that it will help ascertain the percentage of neglected sections of society.
ALSO READ | Lakhimpur Case: Ashish Mishra Given Notice To Appear On Saturday, SC Says ‘Go And Arrest Accused’
UP Police Issue Fresh Notice To Ashish Mishra
An FIR under section 302 of IPC (murder) has been registered against Union MoS Ajay Mishra’s son Ashish and others at the Tikonia police station in connection with the Lakhimpur case.
The Uttar Pradesh Police issued a fresh notice to Ashish Mishra on Friday asking him to appear before it by 11 am on Saturday after he missed his summons earlier today.
Declaring his son as “innocent”, Union Minister of State for Home Ajay Mishra said that Ashish could not appear on Friday as he was “not well”, but he will record his statement the next day.
The latest notice, pasted on the wall of Ajay Mishra’s house, warned that legal action will be initiated against him if he fails to appear tomorrow, PTI reported.
Earlier in the day, during the hearing on Lakhimpur Kheri violence, Supreme Court asked if the UP government treats other accused in the same manner.
“We’re not on merits. The allegation is of 302. Treat him the same way we treat other persons in other cases. Not that we have sent notice, please come,” CJI Ramana said, as reported by Live Law.
He further commented: “What is the message that we are sending? In normal circumstances, if a 302 case is registered, what will the police do? Go and arrest the accused!”
Chandrashekhar’s Party To Contest Delhi Municipal Election
Meanwhile, Chandrashekhar Azad Ravan has announced that his party will field candidates on all 272 seats in the municipal elections in Delhi.
He informed that ASP will fight the elections under the leadership of Naren Bhiku Ram Jain, who was previously with the AAP.
“Wherever the BJP is in power, be it MCD, state or the Centre, the people there will be robbed of their rights and reel under corruption,” the Dalit leader said, as quoted by PTI.
(With Agency Inputs)