'Neither Laws Nor Constitution Permit This': Akhilesh Yadav Slams BJP Over Detentions
SP chief Akhilesh Yadav slams BJP over the detention of Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka and urges workers to secure the voter list.
Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav has launched a scathing attack on the BJP, demanding the immediate release of individuals he claims have been unnecessarily detained. Speaking on Tuesday, Yadav asserted that the continued imprisonment of Saurav Das, Ashutosh Ranka, and others is a direct violation of the country's legal framework and the Constitution.
Allegations of Political Pressure
Yadav alleged that the BJP is actively exerting pressure to keep these individuals behind bars despite a lack of justification. He pointed toward the existence of evidence that could clear the detainees, suggesting that media archives contain video proof of the actual orchestrators of the events in question.
The controversy stems from the arrest of Das, Ranka, and others by the Delhi Police on October 12 for allegedly trespassing at Jantar Mantar, which has been de-notified. On Monday, the duo was sent back to judicial custody from the Mandir Marg Police Station after their surety was rejected due to reported document mismatches.
"Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, and others who are currently imprisoned, should be released immediately; they have been detained unnecessarily. Neither our laws nor our Constitution permit this, yet the BJP is exerting pressure to keep them behind bars," Yadav stated.
The Battle for the Voter List
Shifting his focus to the upcoming electoral battle, the SP chief issued a critical directive to his party workers regarding the voter list. He warned that the integrity of the voter list is the cornerstone of their success and urged absolute vigilance.
Yadav emphasized the urgency of the Special Summary Revision (SSR) process, noting that once this window closes, no further updates or revisions will be possible. He stressed that party workers must remain diligent until the very day of nominations to ensure no legitimate votes are missing.
“If we fail to get the voter list right, we cannot win this fight,” Yadav warned, adding that Uttar Pradesh holds the key to saving the nation's future and that socialists must shoulder this responsibility.
Targeting the BJP and Election Commission
The SP leader did not hold back in his criticism of the BJP's credibility and the functioning of the Election Commission. Using a punchy rhyme, "Ek kachori, ek samosa, BJP ka koi nai bharosa" (one kachori, one samosa, you can never trust the BJP), he suggested that the ruling party resorts to baseless accusations whenever it finds itself in a difficult position.
Yadav claimed that public anger is mounting over allegations of "vote theft" and procedural lapses by the Election Commission. He expressed satisfaction that the efforts of Samajwadi Party leaders forced the poll body to admit to operational errors, arguing that a denial of justice naturally leads to public protests.
Upcoming Manifesto Launch
In a significant announcement, Akhilesh Yadav revealed that the Samajwadi Party will officially release its manifesto on November 26. The date was chosen deliberately as it is observed as Constitution Day, aligning with his current campaign against the alleged erosion of constitutional values.
Legal Backlash Over Detentions
The legal battle surrounding the detainees has also drawn criticism from legal experts. Ratna Singh, Head of Legal Affairs at CJP, described the court proceedings as a "mockery," alleging that the state is nitpicking reasons to deny liberty. Singh claimed that for six days, the authorities have used vague grounds—such as surety verification issues or existing FIRs against sureties—to keep the individuals incarcerated.