BY MOHAMMAD TARIQUE SALEEM
Akhilesh Yadav, the chief of the Samajwadi Party, has once again made headlines with his strong critique of Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s recent statements regarding B.R. Ambedkar. Yadav described Shah’s remarks as an insult to the architect of the Indian Constitution and emphasized that any disrespect towards Ambedkar represents a threat to the Constitution’s foundational values. In a direct and pointed response, Yadav demanded an apology from Shah, underlining the importance of upholding Ambedkar’s legacy in shaping India’s democratic ethos. This controversy comes amid heightened political tension during the by-polls to nine Assembly seats in Uttar Pradesh. Yadav has alleged widespread electoral malpractices and shared a controversial video that has intensified the debate.
The video purportedly shows a police officer, identified as Station House Officer (SHO) Rajiv Sharma of the Kakrouli police station, brandishing a revolver at women voters in Muzaffarnagar’s Meerapur Assembly segment. According to Yadav, the incident highlights an attempt to intimidate voters and undermine the electoral process. In the video, a woman is seen confronting the police officer, who, revolver in hand, claims to have orders to act. The woman’s defiant stance, asserting that the officer had no authority to fire, has sparked widespread reactions on social media. Yadav took to X (formerly Twitter) to demand the immediate suspension of the SHO, accusing him of threatening voters and obstructing their constitutional right to vote. The Muzaffarnagar District Magistrate, Umesh Mishra, has refuted these allegations.
According to Mishra, the police had responded to reports of a clash between two groups in Kakrouli village. He stated that efforts to disperse the groups were met with stone-pelting, necessitating the use of “mild force” to restore order. Mishra also clarified that no voters were intimidated and assured that legal action would be taken against those involved in the stone-throwing incident. Rajiv Sharma, the police officer at the center of the controversy, has defended his actions, asserting that he acted to normalize the law-and-order situation using anti-riot equipment. However, Yadav’s claims have gained traction among his supporters, who accuse the police of interfering with the democratic process.
In response, other social media users have criticized Yadav for allegedly sharing an incomplete version of the video, with some posting extended clips showing individuals attempting to throw stones at the police before the officer drew his gun. The Samajwadi Party has further accused the police of misconduct at polling booths, particularly in Meerapur. According to the party, voters were being harassed and women were subjected to lathi charges at booth number 318. Yadav’s party has called on the Election Commission to ensure free and fair voting, demanding immediate action against those responsible. The polls have become a battleground for heated exchanges between the ruling BJP and the Opposition.
While Yadav continues to allege voter intimidation and police overreach, BJP state president Bhupendra Chaudhary has accused the Samajwadi Party of deploying “goons and mafia” to disrupt the electoral process out of desperation. The Chief Electoral Officer of Uttar Pradesh, Navdeep Rinwa, has responded to the escalating tensions by suspending five police officers. He reiterated that voter IDs should only be checked by poll staff inside booths and assured that any reports of police interference would be addressed promptly. This unfolding drama underscores the contentious nature of the by-polls and the broader political rivalry in Uttar Pradesh. For Akhilesh Yadav, the stakes are high as he seeks to project himself as a defender of democratic principles and a challenger to the BJP’s dominance in the state. As the controversy over Ambedkar’s legacy and voter intimidation continues, it remains to be seen how these events will shape the political narrative in the months ahead.