– Raheem Khan
Mohammad Shafi, National Vice President of Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) and in-charge of Uttar Pradesh, has sharply criticized the Yogi Adityanath-led government for its alleged unilateral actions following the recent communal riots in Bahraich. The riots reportedly erupted during a religious procession, leading to the arrest of several accused. Among them, two individuals were reportedly injured and detained following an encounter.
Shafi accused the BJP and local police of conspiring to protect the main culprits behind the violence, while unfairly targeting the Muslim community. He stated, “Young Muslim men have been taken from their homes by Special Task Force (STF) without informing their families, and the next day, a fabricated story of an encounter was presented. The Yogi government is strangling justice by orchestrating yet another fake encounter.”
Rukhsar, daughter of Abdul Hamid, one of the riot accused, alleged that her father, along with her brothers Sarfaraz and Faheem, had been detained by STF. She also reported that her husband and brother-in-law were arrested earlier. “Despite visiting multiple police stations, we received no information. I had already feared for my father’s life in a possible encounter,” Rukhsar said.
Shafi further alleged that the BJP is seeking political gains through communal polarization by staging these encounters. “The Bahraich riots are being given a Hindu-Muslim colour by BJP for political advantage. The fabricated encounters of Muslim youths are part of this sinister agenda,” he asserted.
In response to these events, the SDPI has put forward three key demands: impartial investigation into Bahraich riots and the alleged fake encounter, led by a retired Supreme Court judge; Strict legal action against both main accused in the riots and police officers involved in the encounter; and Fair compensation for the victims of communal violence, along with formation of a special judicial commission to ensure justice for the innocent Muslim youth affected.
Shafi warned that if the government fails to initiate a fair investigation, SDPI wouldn’t hesitate to organize a nationwide protest to challenge the state’s actions.
