Ara MP Sudama Prasad Detained While Trying to Visit Violence-Hit Sambhal, UP | – Times of India
Ara: Ara MP Sudama Prasad, who was on way to the violence-hit Sambhal town in Uttar Pradesh to meet bereaved families, was allegedly placed under house arrest in Moradabad by the UP police for nearly five hours before being released around 6pm on Sunday. Prasad was leading a fact-finding team from the CPI (ML), which included several central committee members and local party netas. The delegation, eventually, was not allowed to go to Sambhal.
In a video released by the Bhojpur unit of CPI (ML) on Sunday evening, Prasad was heard saying, “I, along with other CPI (ML) functionaries, was going to meet the bereaved families in Sambhal to offer condolences and ascertain the facts behind the violence and the loss of many lives. However, the police did not allow us to proceed. I told senior officers to either let us go or arrest us, but they kept us under house arrest instead.”
Prasad described the police action as an attack on democratic rights. “Not letting an MP meet violence-affected families is undemocratic. Instead of addressing pressing issues like unemployment, price rise and the plight of farmers and small traders, this govt is stoking communal disharmony,” he said.
The MP questioned the frequent raising of religious issues. “When Parliament passed a law in 1991 to maintain the status quo on religious places, why are these issues being revived? The focus should be on real issues like bread and butter,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Revolutionary Youth Association (RYA) held a protest march in Ara on Sunday against the Sambhal violence. The march passed through the main streets of the town and concluded with a public meeting at the Ara bus stand.
Addressing the gathering, RYA Bhojpur district president Niranjan Keshari accused the govt of diverting attention from critical issues. “The NDA govt is trying to shift focus from the Gautam Adani issue by reigniting temple-mosque controversies. Those responsible for the loss of lives in Sambhal must be held accountable,” Keshari said.
In a video released by the Bhojpur unit of CPI (ML) on Sunday evening, Prasad was heard saying, “I, along with other CPI (ML) functionaries, was going to meet the bereaved families in Sambhal to offer condolences and ascertain the facts behind the violence and the loss of many lives. However, the police did not allow us to proceed. I told senior officers to either let us go or arrest us, but they kept us under house arrest instead.”
Prasad described the police action as an attack on democratic rights. “Not letting an MP meet violence-affected families is undemocratic. Instead of addressing pressing issues like unemployment, price rise and the plight of farmers and small traders, this govt is stoking communal disharmony,” he said.
The MP questioned the frequent raising of religious issues. “When Parliament passed a law in 1991 to maintain the status quo on religious places, why are these issues being revived? The focus should be on real issues like bread and butter,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Revolutionary Youth Association (RYA) held a protest march in Ara on Sunday against the Sambhal violence. The march passed through the main streets of the town and concluded with a public meeting at the Ara bus stand.
Addressing the gathering, RYA Bhojpur district president Niranjan Keshari accused the govt of diverting attention from critical issues. “The NDA govt is trying to shift focus from the Gautam Adani issue by reigniting temple-mosque controversies. Those responsible for the loss of lives in Sambhal must be held accountable,” Keshari said.
