Varanasi violence: Congress marches for arrested MLA, bats for seers too

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The Pratikar yatra was taken out on October 5 to protest against the lathicharge on seers and others. It was supported by Congress, BJP, VHP as well as other organisations. However, it turned violent and several vehicles, including those of police, and shops were torched by the crowd. Rai was arrested soon after in connection with the violence.

Congress claimed that the Yatra was going on peacefully under leadership of Swami Avimukteshwarananda and police arrested Rai without any proof. They claimed even the footage of the violence released by the police does not show Rai or any other Congress leader.

Alleging political vendetta against Rai, who had contested last year’s Lok Sabha election against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Mistry told The Indian Express, “Even Governor expressed surprise when we informed him how only Rai has been singled out from the Yatra, in which various organisations including other Congress legislators as well as those of BJP were present and how government has singled him and invoked NSA against him”.

“Governor has assured us that he would write a letter to Chief Minister and would also discuss with him the issue. He has expressed both his anguish and surprise,” Mistry added.

Asked about party’s future line of action, Mistry said, “While our leaders are following up the issue in Varanasi, if needed we would also make an appeal with President of India. No one from any other party or Congress has been arrested except him (Rai) for the reasons best known to Samajwadi Party government”.