Bhim Army Chief Chandrashekhar Azad was arrested at Deoband in Saharanpur by Uttar Pradesh Police on Tuesday for allegedly violating the model code of conduct by using more than the stipulated number of motorcycles at a political rally. He reportedly fell ill soon after being detained, following which he was admitted to a hospital.
Azad, while doing Facebook live from the hospital, urged the people to reach Jantar Mantar in Delhi for Hunkar Rally in huge numbers so as to speak out against the increasing atrocities against Dalits and minoritiesby the Modi government.
On Sunday, the Hunkar Rally was flagged off by Azad at Meerut which was supposed culminate on March 15 at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar. However, one of organisers told Newsclick that the event in Delhi will commence as per schedule.
However, talking to NDTV, Chandrashekhar also said that he will contest Lok Sabha election from whichever seat Prime Minister Narendra Modi would contest.
While undergoing treatment at a hospital in Meerut, Ravan said, “Our padyatra was stopped by the police at the behest of UP government. We had proper permission, but the administration cancelled it, and didn’t inform us. We are going to organise a big rally at Jantar Mantar in Delhi on March 15.”
On March 12, a rally was scheduled to be held in Deoband and on March 13 in Muzaffarnagar. Bhim Army had been mobilising its members not just from Uttar Pradesh, but from across the country.
After being taken into custody by the police, Azad had said: “They want us to sit quietly. But we are not slaves. We are free and will fight for our rights. Let them take us to jail or anywhere else. We will carry our fight ahead and on March 15, a sea of blue (the colour of the Bhim Army flag) will flood Delhi.”
Newsclick approached the Bhim Army chief to know, but he remained unavailable. However, All India Students Association (AISA) national president Sucheta De, who was also detained by the police along with Azad, told Newsclick, "The police has lodged an FIR against many people including Chandrashekhar Azad and me. The police is trying to suppress our voice, but I assure you that we will do the Hunkar Rally at Jantar Mantar on Friday at any cost. Chandrashekhar will also be present there, and Yogi and Modi governments will realise the power of Bahujan Samaj."
Meanwhile, Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi also met Bhim Army chief in Meerut. Gandhi was accompanied by Congress General Secretary, West UP, Jyotiraditya Scindia and party state president Raj Babbar.
