Shiv Sena MP Sanjay Raut questioned whether Uttar Pradesh is Pakistan as Indians are stopped from entering the state, adding that the administration is imposing Section 144 in the Lakhimpur Kheri but detaining opposition leaders in Lucknow.
“Section 144 of CrPC is imposed in Lakhimpur Kheri and you (the government) are arresting (the opposition leaders) in Lucknow. What kind of law is this? Is UP in Pakistan where the Indians are stopped from going? There is a restriction of movement from one state to another. Is this a new lockdown?” Shiv Sena leader Raut while speaking to ANI on Lakhimpur Kheri violence.
He further said, “The administration is like a caged parrot of the ruling party and it follows whatever the instruction is given by the government. There is evidence of a vehicle running over the farmers…” Mr Raut added, “Priyanka Gandhi has been arrested, Rahul Gandhi is being stopped (from boarding a flight), a state CM is also stopped. What crime have they committed? Is there a new constitution in the country?” Mr Raut also said that all the opposition parties will discuss whether a delegation should be sent to Lakhimpur Kheri.
In the meantime, Rahul Gandhi, asked about Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’s controversial arrest in Uttar Pradesh on Monday on her way to Lakhimpur Kheri, said he was “not bothered” by the alleged manhandling of his sister as they both are “trained” to face such attacks.
“Whether it is Priyanka or me – we are not bothered by manhandling. You can hit us, attack us…It is our training from years ago…that our family gives us,” said Rahul Gandhi.
Priyanka Gandhi was seen in a huge confrontation with the police as she demanded to see a warrant for her arrest. A video showed her lashing out at the cops as Mr Hooda was physically pushed. “Try touching me…,” she was heard saying. “If you will put me in that car I will charge you with kidnapping. And the charge will not be against the police but you,” she told the police.
Priyanka Gandhi’s husband Robert Vadra said he had been stopped from going to Lucknow to “check on my wife (Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra) and make sure she is fine and well”.
Vadra also expressed his shock that his wife had still not been allowed to meet her legal counsel. “I have been stopped (from going) to Lucknow, UP, to check on my wife and make sure she is fine and well. I am shocked beyond belief… how Priyanka has been arrested under Section 151 of the Indian Penal Code. I spoke with her yesterday and she informed me she has not been served with any order or notice,” Mr Vadra wrote on Facebook.
“… not been produced before a judicial officer, not allowed to meet her legal counsel. I am really worried for her… packed my bag to go to Lucknow when I was informed, I won’t be allowed to step out of the airport,” he said.
