The entire opposition staged a walkout in the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly today, accusing the state government of framing Dalits in fake cases.
BSP legislature party leader Lalji Verma alleged that party members, including former MLA Yogesh Verma, were booked under false charges during a protest in April against the dilution of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
Lalji Verma raised the issue through an adjournment motion.
There were angry exchanges when Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath urged the Chair to allow a BJP MLA to speak on the issue. Leader of Opposition Ram Govind Chaudhary objected, saying only those had given notice should be allowed to speak.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Suresh Khanna said Yogesh Verma had led the protesters who indulged in violence during the Bharat Bandh in April.
Also Read
"Yogesh Verma is a habitual criminal, he alleged. Cases have been lodged against him in the past also when BJP was not in power."
But the BSP members said he was not even present when the violence took place in Meerut, but was being targeted as his wife had won the mayoral polls defeating a BJP nominee.
The Bahujan Samaj Party, the Samajwadi Party and the Congress later staged a walkout, making noisy exit from the House.
Opposition members also held a protest outside the Assembly hall, raising slogans against the government.
There were several incidents of violence in Meerut during the Bharat Bandh. One person was killed and a police post was torched.
One person had also died in Muzaffarnagar during the protests.
Disclaimer: No Business Standard Journalist was involved in creation of this content
