Widespread protests continue against SP govt

On Monday,a 5,000-strong crowd gathered at the condolence meeting for Khalid at his ancestral village of Mehatuana Bazar at Madiyahun of Jaunpur district. They raised slogans against Mulayam Singh Yadav,indicating their disenchantment with the SP. The crowd also raised slogans against Muslim ministers Azam Khan,Ahmed Hasan and Riyaz Ahmed for their alleged inability to safeguard the community.

During the meeting,it was announced that no compensation would be demanded from the state government as there is no price tag for “martyrdom”.

“Everyone raised slogans against Mulayam. SP leaders will be boycotted and Muslims will question them about Khalid’s death when they seek votes,” Rajeev Yadav,spokesperson of Rihai Manch,an association spearheading the campaign for the release of innocent Muslim youths,said.

Several people from adjoining districts such as Azamgarh and Bhadohi came for the meeting. It took on political overtones with workers of Mukhtar Ansari’s Qaumi Ekta Dal (QED),Mohd Suleman of Indian National League (INL) and Rashtriya Ulema Council (RUC) too joining in large numbers.

“We will shift our struggle from Jaunpur to Lucknow. The relay sit-in protest will start tomorrow. We have not approached any political party. But several leaders will come in their individual capacity. We will expose Mulayam’s claims of Muslim welfare,” Shahnawaz Alam of Rihai Manch said.

Mohd Shoeb,Khalid’s advocate,also addressed the meeting.