Not long back Kasganj was the epicentre of communal tension after an altercation during a Tiranga yatra on Republic Day claimed a life and led to cutting violence. This has led the officials with the district administration to deny permission for any such procession on Independence Day.
Security is also being beefed up with two companies of the Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC) being deployed in the area to help maintain law and order, and 150 suspected “troublemakers” been bounded under Section 116 (3) of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), officials added. Section 144 of CrPC- the power to issue an order in urgent cases of nuisance or apprehended danger has also been imposed in Kasganj.
Taking signs from whatever occurred in January this year, district magistrate RP Singh said that though, various organizations had sought permission to organize Tiranga yatras on 15th August, claiming that it was a tradition, “We have not granted any permission for taking out Tiranga yatras, or any such rallies, in the district this Independence Day.”
RP Singh went on to confirm that various programmes were already being organized at schools and colleges, besides the one that will be held at the Collectorate, so anyone intending to celebrate Independence day was free to join the celebration at these places but no permission would be granted for the ‘Tiranga Yatra’ considering the communal violence which enveloped Kisganj during Republic day celebrations.
As per reports, on 26th January morning, ABVP volunteers were taking a bike rally on Republic Day. When the rally reached a Muslim locality, the volunteers started chanting “Vande Mataram” and “Bharat Mata Ki Jai”, on which some people of a particular community got irked. This sparked violence in which a 16-year-old boy, Chandan, was killed. Two more youths were injured in the violence. The district administration had imposed curfew in the area and subsequently cracked down heavily on the rioters, arresting about 121 people including the main accused Salim in Chandan’s death.
With the situation turning murkier, Chandan’s father who had claimed that his son was killed as he refused to chant “Pakistan Zindabad”, and had been proactive towards ensuring justice for his son, had later alleged that he had been at the receiving end of death threats. The media had indulged in quintessential double standards even as Chandan was killed.
A mob must not be allowed to dictate the mobility of Indian citizens. By disallowing the Tiranga Yatra, the police seems to have submitted to mob rule that asserts that it is allowed to indulge in the violence of the worst kind if something irks them. Law and order is to be maintained by police but not by giving in to the demands on violent elements.