Akhilesh Yadav's Remarks on Bahraich Violence Stokes Fresh Row, BJP Retorts

Lucknow: Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav has accused the Uttar Pradesh government of “deliberately” orchestrating the communal violence in Bahraich district. The former Uttar Pradesh chief minister also questioned why there was "no police security" during "such a significant event."

Yadav accused the BJP of employing a "Divide and Rule" strategy reminiscent of the British. He also claimed that BJP workers assaulted the journalist who recorded the initial outbreak of violence. The unrest in Maharajganj, within the Mahsi tehsil of Bahraich district, reportedly erupted on Sunday over loud music played outside a place of worship during a Durga Puja immersion procession.

Ram Gopal Mishra, 22, part of the passing group, died of a gunshot wound in the ensuing violence.

Akhilesh Yadav Blames UP Government Over Bahraich Violence

"This is the failure of the Bahraich administration and the government. They talk about zero tolerance and conduct every event very peacefully. So why was there no police security when such a big event was being organised?" Yadav asked, speaking to reporters in Lucknow.

"Was the administration not aware of how and what was happening there?" he said.

The SP president also raised questions about the use of firearms during the arrest of the men accusing of being involved in the killing, and said the government "ruined" the police of the state.

"This is a matter of a neighbouring district. You must know better than I do that this incident (Bahraich violence) did not happen, but was deliberately orchestrated," he said.

"I have even heard that the journalist who made the first video of the procession in Bahraich was injured in his hands or legs. BJP workers beat him. If they are beating journalists or sending them to jail in false cases, then one can surmise what they must be hiding," Yadav said.

He said that his party will ensure that grieving families get justice.

"Britishers gave divide and rule slogan. This government is working on it and the common man knows this," Yadav said.

BJP Calls Akhilesh Yadav ‘Leader of Goons’

On the remarks made by Samajwadi Party chief, UP Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya called Akhilesh Yadav a “leader of the goons”. 

“If any criminal is caught anywhere, he turns out to be from SP. Akhilesh Yadav should not speak on the riots. The government is taking action according to the law. Akhilesh Yadav gets disturbed when any action is taken against the mafia," Maurya said. 

What Happened In Bahraich?

The death of Ram Gopal Mishra triggered a series of flagrant incidents in the area with angry mobs torching several houses, shops, showrooms, hospitals, and vehicles.

Earlier, police in Bahraich arrested five men, wounding two with gunshots in an encounter. The arrests were made in connection with the Sunday killing.

Police have so far registered 11 FIRs and arrested 55 suspects in connection with the Sunday murder and subsequent violence, according to official.