MOHAMMAD TARIQUE SALEEM
In the quiet town of Sitapur, Uttar Pradesh, retired Brigadier Arvind Rathore had always been a symbol of discipline and integrity. Having served the nation for over three decades, he was now living a peaceful life with his family, nurturing a small plot of ancestral land that he had long dreamed of turning into a community library for the underprivileged children of his village.
However, his tranquil retirement was recently shattered by an unexpected storm. One morning, a group of men armed with sticks and bulldozers appeared at his property, claiming the land belonged to a powerful builder with close ties to the ruling party. These men, allegedly part of what locals whispered as the BJP’s “land army,” didn’t hesitate to resort to violence. When Brigadier Rathore protested, reminding them of his lawful ownership, he was met with threats and physical assault.
The shocking incident spread like wildfire, shaking the faith of many who once believed the law would protect them. The news soon reached social media, and the Samajwadi Party’s Chief Akhilesh Yadav took to his X account, voicing his outrage:
“When a respected retired high-ranking military officer is becoming a victim of violence by land mafia (BJP’s land army) in the UP BJP government, then there is no need to say how bad the condition of the common man will be. It remains to be seen whom the BJP government supports after this incident of violence is exposed among the public.”
The statement resonated deeply with people across the state. If someone like Brigadier Rathore a man who had once defended the nation’s borders could be attacked so brazenly, what hope did an ordinary citizen have against the ever-growing influence of land mafias?
Public outrage intensified as videos of the ransacked property and the injured brigadier surfaced online. Protests erupted, demanding justice not just for Brigadier Rathore, but for every victim of illegal land grabbing. Local authorities, feeling the pressure, promised a fair investigation, but skepticism hung thick in the air.
Now, the entire state watches closely will justice prevail, or will power once again overshadow the rights of the people? The outcome of this case has become more than just a personal fight for Brigadier Rathore; it is now a symbol of the struggle between justice and corruption in Uttar Pradesh.
