Congress Stages Protest in Patna Over MP Pappu Yadav's Arrest
State Congress functionaries and workers organized a significant protest in Patna on Sunday, vehemently opposing the arrest of Purnia MP Rajesh Ranjan, widely known as Pappu Yadav. The demonstrators asserted that the arrest was a politically motivated move, directly linked to Yadav's outspoken criticism of the government and state police for their perceived failure in addressing the sexual assault and death case of a medical aspirant from Jehanabad in Patna.
Allegations of Police Insensitivity and Political Vendetta
During the protest, Congress leaders and participants raised loud slogans against the government, highlighting three core issues: police insensitivity in the NEET student case, the arrest of Yadav, and the alleged protection afforded to criminals within the state. They argued that Yadav's midnight arrest on Saturday represented a direct assault on democracy and an egregious misuse of power, aimed at silencing dissent.
In contrast, police officials maintained that the MP was taken into custody in connection with an old case, refuting claims of political interference. The protest followed strong condemnations from senior Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and party general secretary Priyanka Gandhi, who denounced the arrest as an unjust action.
Key Figures Leading the Demonstration
The protest was spearheaded by prominent state Congress functionaries, such as Sanjeev Singh, Raushan Kumar Singh, Kumar Ashish, Pankaj Yadav, and Asitnath Tiwari. Their involvement underscored the party's unified stance against what they described as escalating authoritarian tendencies in the state's governance.
This incident has intensified political tensions in Bihar, with the Congress party positioning itself as a vocal opponent of the ruling administration's actions. The protest not only focused on Yadav's arrest but also broader concerns about law enforcement accountability and civil liberties, signaling potential ongoing confrontations in the state's political landscape.
