Pilibhit House Arrests Spark Political Row During CM Yogi's Visit
Political tension rises in Pilibhit as Hindu organization members and Congress leaders were placed under house arrest during CM Yogi Adityanath's visit.
Political tensions have reached a boiling point in Pilibhit after the local administration placed several prominent figures under house arrest to coincide with Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath's visit to Neuranpur. The crackdown, which occurred on November 3 while the Chief Minister was attending a Ramkatha event, has drawn sharp criticism from both the opposition and unexpected allies of the ruling party.
Hindu Mahasabha Expresses Betrayal
In a surprising turn of events, members of the Hindu Mahasabha have voiced strong dissatisfaction over the police action. Despite their long-standing support for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), representatives of the organization claim they were subjected to unfair mistreatment.
Sanjeev Mishra, the State Vice President of the Hindu Mahasabha, questioned the logic behind the detentions. He raised a critical point regarding how the organization is expected to voice public grievances when its own workers are being detained by the government they support.
Adding to the frustration, District President Pandit Pankaj Sharma labeled the detention of office bearers as unjustifiable. He emphasized that these leaders are the primary bridge between the public and the administration, and warned that the organization would provide a response to these actions. To formally register their protest, the Hindu Mahasabha held a meeting with the Superintendent of Police.
Congress Alleges Democratic Suppression
The Congress party has also launched a scathing attack on the administration, alleging a blatant violation of democratic rights. According to party sources, several key leaders were confined to their homes without any written official orders from the authorities.
Those placed under house arrest included:
- Shrikrishna Gangwar (City President)
- Rajesh Verma (Student Congress District President)
- Mohammad Azeem (District General Secretary)
Advocate Hemant Mishra, a spokesperson for the Congress, highlighted the absurdity of the police operation, claiming that officers remained stationed at the City President's residence even during periods when he was not actually present at the home.
Opposition Vows to Continue Protest
The Congress party has accused the BJP government of attempting to systematically suppress the voice of the opposition to ensure a smooth visit for the Chief Minister. By restricting the movement of political leaders, the party argues that the administration is undermining the fundamental principles of democracy.
Despite the restrictive measures, the Congress leadership has asserted that their democratic protests will continue, signaling a prolonged political standoff in the region.