Protests Erupt In Aligarh As RSS Chief Dragged From Home By Police

protests erupt in aligarh as rss chief dragged from home by police

The chief of the Aligharh unit of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), Om Prakash Sharma, was reportedly forcefully taken into police custody by five officers on Thursday morning. The action was carried out in connection with a non-bailable warrant (NBW). The incident, which triggered widespread protests, prompted the police to launch an inquiry and take disciplinary measures against three officials involved.

According to police reports, the controversy stems from a 2012 complaint filed by Sharma with the UP Pollution Control Board concerning a factory located opposite his residence on ITI road in Aligarh. Subsequently, pollution control board officials determined that the complaint was false, leading the factory owner to file a defamation suit against Sharma. Despite repeated summons from a local court, Sharma failed to appear, resulting in the issuance of a warrant.

The news of Sharma’s detention spread quickly in Aligarh, prompting dozens of RSS and BJP leaders to converge on the Banna Devi police station. There, they engaged in reciting the Hanuman Chalisa and demanded the immediate suspension of the involved police officials along with Sharma’s release. Senior police officers intervened, leading to the punishment of three policemen, including Arvind Kumar, the in-charge of the ITI police outpost. Additionally, an inquiry into the incident was initiated.

Mrigank Shekhar, superintendent of police, Aligarh City, commented on the situation, stating, “We found in our inquiry that the cops misbehaved with the leader, and we have sent to Police Lines three policemen, including the in-charge of the ITI police outpost, Arvind Kumar. An inquiry has also been ordered in this connection.”

Former Aligarh mayor Shakuntala Bharti, an early arrival at the police station, alleged that the police forcibly entered Sharma’s house while he was praying, disregarding his wife’s explanation. According to Bharti, Sharma was dragged out without being allowed to put on his footwear.

In response to the escalating protests, the superintendent of police apologized to the agitating BJP and RSS leaders. Subsequently, Sharma was conveyed back to his residence in a police jeep.