The Uttar Pradesh civil rights organization Rihai Manch has taken strong exception to targeting of Dalits and Muslims in Muzaffarnagar district, pointing out that National Security Act (NSA) is being "selectively" imposed on members of these two communities, suggesting "Manuvadi" behaviour of the Modi-Yogi government at the Centre and the state.
Addressing media in Khatauli, Muzaffarnagar district, Manch leaders referred to the arrest of individuals during the April 2 Bharat Bandh, saying, most of them are Muslims and Dalits, and were booked under NSA.
Rajiv Yadav, general secretary of the Manch, said, "On one hand, cases against the 2013 communal violence accused, including BJP MLAs and MPs, are being withdrawn, on other, cases are being framed on fake charges on the deprived sections of society. Even minors and women in Khatauli are not being spared."
He said, things have reached another extreme in Deoband, where students from Kashmir, Azamgarh, Jaunpur and Orissa were picked up. After the questions were raised, two Kashmiri youths were sued. In the same way, false sedition changes were registered against students of the Aligarh Muslim University.
Suresh Kumar, father of Amaresh, who was killed during the Bharat Bandh call, claimed, his son was a victim of a police bullet, yet the government has refused to act.
"The matter went to the High Court. But even after the order of re-investigation, the culprits were rescued by the police because the real culprits themselves were in the police", he said, adding, "I was pressured to say that if I take the name of a Muslim, I will get compensation but I refused because I want justice."
In yet another instance, NSA was instituted against Vikas Median after he got bail in six cases. His father, Dr Rakesh, said, this is being done in order to create an atmosphere of fear and panic in society. Puran Singh and Dhanwati Devi also pointed towards how their son was similarly trapped, and now is in jail.
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