Lucknow: Tauheeda, a Muslim woman from Muzaffarnagar, is set to be felicitated by the Samajwadi Party (SP) for her bravery during the Meerapur assembly by-polls. She gained national attention after a photograph showing her fearlessly confronting SHO Kakrauli Rajiv Sharma, who allegedly pointed a pistol at her to prevent her from voting, went viral on social media.
Tauheeda, a resident of Kakrauli, reported that she was stopped by the police while attempting to exercise her right to vote and was forcibly sent back. “I am not afraid of bullets. I was not allowed to vote,” she said, highlighting the intimidation faced by Muslim voters in the region.
The incident occurred amidst widespread allegations by the SP that Muslim voters were systematically prevented from casting their ballots in multiple constituencies. Reports of police officials lifting the veils of burqa-clad women to check their identities and obstructing them from reaching polling stations further fuelled outrage.
Tauheeda, whose husband works as a driver, was among those booked by the police for alleged violence during the polling. However, SP leaders, including district president Zia Chaudhary, met her and assured her of recognition for her courage. SP president Akhilesh Yadav will lead the felicitation.
Videos on social media also showed police officers checking the IDs of Muslim women by forcibly lifting their veils. In response, Akhilesh Yadav called on supporters to document and share evidence of such acts. He demanded that the Election Commission take immediate action, stating, “If the EC exists, it should act forthwith.” Following the backlash, the UP Police announced the suspension of officials involved in the identity checks.
