Following the massive protests against the demolition of the Ravidas temple in Tughlaqabad, Dalit leader and Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar Azad was picked up by the police and beaten up inside the Kalkaji police station, the Bhim Army has alleged. Speaking to Sabrangindia, Vipin Gouraiya of the Bhim Army Student Federation said, "near the Okhla metro station a senior police officer told us everything is alright and you can march to the temple. However when we reached the temple we saw some bikes burning, the police started firing in air and picked up Chandrashekhar Azad and Vinay Ratan Singh without informing anyone. They tied him up and beat him up with lathis all night long". Over ninety people from the Bhim Army were arrested for rioting. He also said that while others were also beaten up in lock up, Chandrashekhar Azad was the "main target". Five more young boys were picked up by the police next day when they raised 'Jai Bheem' slogans on seeing Chandrashekhar Azad, he alleged.
Speaking to Sabrangindia, SHO Kalkaji, Atul Kumar denied all allegations and said, "Hundreds of people were detained, their lawyers had come along, how is it possible? A medical was also done and he was produced in front of the magistrate". Azad has allegedly been booked under the Arms Act among many other provisions of law. He has been sent to Tihar Jail.
The Bhim Army held a press conference today at 4pm, at the Women Press Club, New Delhi, to throw more light on the issue.
