Chandigarh mayoral poll: Protesting NSUI members face khaki wrath

Chandigarh, February 7

A few volunteers of the city unit of the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI), the student wing of the Indian National Congress, were injured today when the police resorted to lathi charge and used water cannons as they tried to cross the barricades in an attempt to gherao the Sector 33 office of the BJP while protesting over the recent mayoral elections.

Students and Congress leaders, led by councillor and city NSUI president Sachin Galav, gathered outside the BJP office, expressing strong opposition to the alleged invalidation of eight votes by Anil Masih, the presiding officer of the elections. Galav accused the BJP of undemocratic actions and alleged potential illegality and treason.

The councillor alleged that recently released videos revealed that BJP councillors were making efforts to remove cameras installed to videograph the election, suggesting a pre-planned conspiracy. He urged a comprehensive investigation, extending from MP Kirron Kher to every BJP councillor in Chandigarh, implicating even the BJP high command, into what he described as a “murdering the process of democracy”.

The NSUI condemned the use of force by the Chandigarh Police during the ‘peaceful’ protest, highlighting the deployment of water cannons and lathi charge on its members and students. “Injured students were taken to the GMSH-16 for treatment. Two councillors also sustained injuries in the incident,” said Galav.

“I strongly denounce the police actions. The peaceful protest was disrupted by the BJP-influenced Chandigarh Police. The organisation demands an inquiry into the police behaviour and maintains its commitment to a peaceful and democratic process,” Galav added.