BJP leader alleges ill-treatment by cops at CM’s cyclothon event

A controversy unfolded in Sirsa on Sunday during the closing event of Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini’s Cyclothon Yatra, after BJP leader Manish Singla was reportedly mistreated by police officers near the CM’s stage. Singla, the son of the former Odisha Governor, Prof Ganeshi Lal, was reportedly asked to leave the area despite showing his ID card.

The situation escalated when officers allegedly held his hand to push him outside and even stopped him from making a phone call. A video of the incident went viral, triggering widespread reactions.

The incident drew criticism from political figures. Congress MLA Gokul Setia condemned the behaviour, calling it disrespectful. Jagdish Chopra, former advisor to Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, also voiced criticism, demanding action against the officers involved, including a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP). He said such treatment of BJP workers would not be tolerated.

Manish Singla, a long-time BJP member, businessman and member of the party’s state executive committee, is part of a prominent political family. His father, Prof Ganeshi Lal, has been a senior BJP leader and former Cabinet Minister of Haryana.

Despite the controversy, the 23-day Cyclothon Yatra, which began on April 5 in Hisar, concluded on Sunday at PM Shri Government Senior Secondary School in Odhan. According to the president of the district unit of the BJP, Renu Sharma, the yatra covered over 2,000 km and attracted over five lakh registrations. The goal of the campaign was to raise awareness about the dangers of drug abuse.

At the closing event, Dr Ashok Kumar led village sarpanches in taking an oath, vowing to fight against drug addiction. The campaign aimed to highlight social responsibility and urged the community to unite in the battle against drug abuse.