Priyanka takes part in 'antim ardas' of deceased farmers
Darpan News Desk IANS, 12 Oct, 2021 12:00 PM
Lakhimpur Kheri (Uttar Pradesh), Oct 12 (IANS) The Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra offered 'antim ardas' to the farmers who were mowed down by an SUV in the Tikunia village on October 3.
Priyanka reached Lakhimpur Kheri where the post-death rituals of the deceased farmers were taking place and participated in the event.
Bhartiya Kisan Union Tikait district vice president Balkar Singh had already made it clear that, "No political leader will be allowed to share the stage where only Sanyukta Kisan Morcha (SKM) leaders will be present."
The SKM is the umbrella body of farmer unions spearheading the ongoing protests against the Centre's farm laws.
Priyanka, on her way to Lakhimpur Kheri was greeted with posters opposing her visit. The posters reminded her of the 1984 massacre of Sikhs and said that their 'fake sympathy' was not needed.
The case was assigned to the division bench of Justices A.G. Masih and Ashok Kumar Verma. Earlier, the case was being heard by the bench of Justices Rajan Gupta and Ajay Tewari but the latter recused himself from hearing the case on September 1.
Furnishing details about the incident, Additional DCP-2 Nishant Gupta told IANS that they had received information about a firing incident in the northeast Delhi area on October 1.
The activists of Punjab Congress will walk towards Lakhimpur Kheri in Uttar Pradesh if Priyanka Gandhi is not released and the Union Minister's son accused of murder not arrested, said state party President Navjot Sidhu on Tuesday.
Referring to police action against protesting farmers in Congress-ruled Rajasthan, the BJP leader said, "Congress leaders who are very keen to visit Lakhimpur Kheri have not uttered a single word against police lathicharge on farmers in Hanumangarh, Rajasthan."
Comparisons are on in social media whether this arrest could change the Congress fortunes as after Indira Gandhi's arrest and later in the election in 1980 the Congress returned with a thumping majority.
