In a significant development in Varanasi, a planned protest march by the Indian Youth Congress (IYC) led to the arrest of dozens of its activists, including its national president. The demonstrators were attempting to march towards the parliamentary constituency office of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to voice their opposition against the SIR (Special Investment Region) when police intervention halted their plans.
Arrests and Police Action
A total of 37 IYC leaders and workers were detained from four different locations in the city, including the Circuit House area. This confirmation came from ACP Cantt, Nitin Taneja. The arrested individuals were first taken to the police lines and were subsequently released after they furnished personal bonds. The police action was pre-emptive, with authorities citing a lack of official permission for the rally as the primary reason for the crackdown.
Congress Alleges Political Motive
On the other side, IYC district president Vikas Singh presented a contrasting narrative. He alleged that all necessary formalities to seek permission for the 'Janakrosh March' and for submitting a memorandum at the PM's office were duly completed. Singh claimed that the permission was denied solely on the "diktat of the centre and state government," suggesting a politically motivated move to stifle dissent.
In a related move, police were also deployed outside the homes of several Congress office-bearers, including city chief Raghvendra Chaubey, to prevent them from joining the protest. When party workers attempted to gather at Shastri Ghat as a starting point for the rally, they were intercepted by police en route and escorted to the police lines.
High-Drama at Circuit House
The situation escalated into a tense standoff at the Circuit House. A heavy police contingent, led by ADCP Varuna Neetu Kadian, had already fortified the location when IYC national chief Uday Bhanu Chib arrived. As party workers began to congregate, planning to march towards Shastri Ghat, it became clear their attempt would be blocked.
In response, Chib's supporters began chanting slogans. Police officials attempted to pacify the crowd, urging them to disperse since they did not have permission for the event. However, the protestors intensified their sloganeering and made attempts to proceed with their march. This led to what witnesses described as a "high-voltage drama." Seeing the commotion escalate, the police finally loaded all the protestors into vans and transported them to the police lines.
ADCP Kadian later stated that the arrests were made only after the protestors failed to comply with repeated requests to disperse.
Top Police Brass Reviews Security
Anticipating the protest, the Varanasi police had made extensive security arrangements. Police Commissioner Mohit Agrawal personally arrived to assess the preparedness. He marched from the Gurudham crossing to PM Modi's constituency office, checking the arrangements in place to stop crowds and prevent any forced entry.
During his inspection, Commissioner Agrawal reprimanded policemen and officials on the spot for not wearing body protectors and lacking anti-riot equipment. In a specific instance, a Sub-Inspector from Sigra police station was given a stern warning for not carrying a body shield or a pistol.
To ensure tight security monitoring, DCP Kashi Zone Gaurav Banswal and ACP Bhelupur Gaurav Kumar camped along with personnel from Bhelupur, Lanka, and Chitaipur police stations, as well as platoons of the Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC). Their focus was the stretch between Modi's constituency office and the Gurudham crossing.
The incident underscores the heightened political tensions in the Prime Minister's constituency and the strict measures being enforced to control public demonstrations. The IYC's protest against the SIR policy has now become a flashpoint, highlighting the ongoing tussle between the ruling dispensation and the opposition over the right to peaceful assembly.
