Activists question probe into Delhi riots case; accuse police of framing anti-CAA agitators

Tribune News Service
New Delhi, September 4

Prominent activists who took part in the anti-CAA agitation on Friday questioned the line of investigation into riots in north-east Delhi early this year, and demanded release of those booked regarding it.

The activists including Swaraj Abhiyan President Yogendra Yadav and Member of  Sonia Gandhi led- National Advisory Council (NAC) during Congress-led Manmohan Singh government, Harsh Mander, alleged that the Delhi Police is fabricating cases against those who took part in anti-CAA agitation in the garb of investigation into the riots.

Former JNU student leader Umar Khalid was also part of the group that addressed the press questioning the Delhi Police. 

They claimed the police were acting on a script prepared by the BJP regime at the Centre to target one section of people opposed to its ideology.

“There is a move to criminalise the agitation against CAA,”  Yadav said, echoing the views expressed by other members of the group.

They added that the agitation was democratic and just, in the interest of secular fabric of the Constitution

They said the police were coercing people who took part in the agitation to give self-incriminating evidence.

However, they did not answer a question on whether they could cite any particular instance of the alleged coercion by the police regarding the riots.

They further alleged the “right wing” activists and BJP leaders including Union Minister Aurag Thakur who stoked up communal hatred through speeches which led to the riots were shielded.

Many political observers are of the view that anti and pro CAA agitation, especially the Shaheen Bagh’s indefinite sit-in was linked to the last Assembly election in Delhi.

There is also a view that the CAA issue and events related to Delhi riots will be in the air in view of the coming assembly election in Bihar.