Saharanpur: Manjeet Singh Nautiyal, national president of Bhim Army Jai Bhim, was stopped by police in Saharanpur while traveling to Bareilly. Authorities cited concerns over potential law and order disruptions as the reason for blocking his travel.
Nautiyal was reportedly heading to Bareilly in connection with the recent sealing of a showroom owned by a Muslim councillor. His visit was intended as a show of political support and solidarity with the councillor, who alleged harassment and bias.
Reacting to the police intervention, Nautiyal described the action as undemocratic and an effort to suppress dissent. He stated that preventive measures are increasingly being used to silence Dalit and minority voices in Uttar Pradesh.
Police clarified that no formal charges were filed against Nautiyal. Officials emphasized that the move was preventive, aimed at avoiding possible communal tensions, and instructed him to return without proceeding further.
The incident has sparked debate over the balance between preventive policing and the democratic right to travel and express solidarity. Civil society observers have expressed concern about selective restrictions on political and community leaders, highlighting the need for clear guidelines to prevent misuse of preventive powers.
The episode underscores ongoing tensions in Uttar Pradesh regarding political mobilization, minority rights, and the treatment of activists seeking to support vulnerable communities.
