– Akhilesh Tripthi
Lucknow: In Mainpuri district, Uttar Pradesh, a widow and her daughter were arrested after seeking help from the District Magistrate to remove an illegal encroachment on their land. The DM, Anjani Kumar Singh, reportedly became enraged by their plea during a “Samadhan Diwas” (Grievance Redressal Day) and ordered their arrest.
Radha, a widow, and her daughter Divya, residents of Kishani, had approached the DM during the event held on Saturday, where officials, including the DM and SP, listen to public grievances. They appealed for action against a powerful individual who had illegally seized their property, explaining that they had made multiple visits to the district headquarters for help, but to no avail. Frustrated by the lack of response, they decided to present their case at the government-mandated grievance redressal event.
Despite their heartfelt appeal, DM Anjani Kumar Singh directed the police to arrest the mother and daughter. Acting on his orders, the police detained the two, accusing them of creating a disturbance. According to the General Diary entry at Kishani Police Station, the arrests were made on charges of “causing a commotion” and “arguing with senior officials.”
The “Samadhan Diwas” initiative, intended to resolve public grievances efficiently, often fails to deliver on its promise. Many complaints go unresolved, and citizens frequently leave disillusioned. Officials, who sometimes treat these events as mere formalities, are hesitant to take responsibility for complex cases, especially those involving land disputes or crimes against women. In such situations, victims are often dismissed harshly, and their pleas ignored.
The incident in Mainpuri has drawn widespread criticism, highlighting the ineffectiveness of the administrative system and bringing embarrassment to the BJP-led Yogi Adityanath government. Despite Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s claims of eradicating mafia influence in the state, instances of land grabbing and crimes against women persist. Influential individuals and criminal elements continue to operate with impunity, while victims, like Radha and Divya, are left helpless.
The arrest of the widow and her daughter has raised questions about the administration’s handling of grievances and its commitment to justice. Women’s safety remains a pressing concern, with the government often accused of making hollow promises to improve its image.
Ironically, no political leader or women’s rights organisation has spoken out against the incident. Even Dimple Yadav, the MP from Mainpuri and wife of Samajwadi Party President Akhilesh Yadav, has remained silent. CM Adityanath, known for his strong rhetoric on women’s safety, has also not addressed the matter.
Amitabh Thakur, a former IPS officer and National President of the Azad Adhikar Sena, has however condemned the incident and called for immediate action against DM Anjani Singh. He has demanded the DM’s suspension and registration of an FIR against him, stating, “The DM’s behaviour was inappropriate and unjust. His actions warrant immediate suspension and accountability for the false charges against the mother and daughter.”
