Congress plans march in Uttar Pradesh to highlight women safety
The Congress has decided to organise a 10-day padayatra in Uttar Pradesh from September 30 to target the Yogi Adityanath government over the issue of women's security.
The Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee (UPCC) has decided to organise a 10-day padayatra from Shahjahanpur to Lucknow to target the Yogi Adityanath government over the issue of women's security in the backdrop of rape accusation against former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Union Minister Swami Chinmayanand.
The padyatra is also aimed at demanding the immediate release of the law student and inclusion of rape charges against Chinmayanand. The padayatra, likely to be joined by Priyanka Gandhi Vadra will begin on September 30.
Issuing a press statement, Congress MLA and party leader in the state assembly Ajay Kumar Lallu said, "Party leaders and workers from across the state will gather in Shahjahanpur on September 30. We will begin 'padyatra' [foot march] demanding justice for the law student."
The decision to launch the march from Shahjahanpur assumes significance as this is the place where Chinmayanand is facing the rape allegations levelled by a 23-year-old student.
The Congress has been accusing the Yogi government of shielding Chinmayanand and targeting the victim who has been sent to jail on the charges of extortion. The Shahjahanpur law student, who accused BJP leader of rape, was arrested in an extortion case and has been sent to 14-day judicial custody.
Chinmayanad was also sent to 14-day judicial custody after being arrested by the SIT. However, he is presently undergoing treatment at the Sanjay Gandhi Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences in Lucknow after he complained of chest pain in jail.
During the march, Congress workers and leaders will raise the issues concerning women's security. All leaders and workers have been asked to join the march. The participants will walk around 20 km a day. The party will also be highlighting the issues of farmers and unemployment.
An advance team has been sent to Shahjahanpur to prepare for the programme. Priyanka Gandhi has held meetings with all secretaries working in UP.
Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate said crimes against women were rising in the state and the Yogi government was shielding the accused.
Priyanka has slammed the BJP government in UP, saying it is insensitive towards women's security.