BJP workers torch CM’s effigy, seek SSP’s removal

ALLAHABAD: Activists of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and its frontal organizations on Sunday torched the effigy of chief minister Akhilesh Yadav at Civil Lines to protest use of saffron flag by a group of rioters during anti-riot mock drill held at Reserve Police Lines on Friday. The workers also demanded removal of district police chief.
Party’s mahanagar president Sashi Varshney said, “Depicting Hindus as rioters by using saffron coloured flag is an insult to them.We are not going to tolerate it at any cost. It is a matter of self respect and BJP will take the issue to other parts of the state.” She said that the protest would continue till the state government issued an apology and removed the erring officials.
The party workers also raised slogans against the state government and blamed the Samajwadi Party government for the incident. They also demanded an apology from the chief minister.
Sashi Varshney said, “The state government should issue a clarification as the incident was aimed at maligning the image of Hindu organizations by using saffron colour flag.”
The controversy was triggered when a policeman playing the role of a rioter picked up the saffron coloured flag at an anti-riot mock drill at Reserved Police Lines. Though police officials have claimed that the drill was not aimed at hurting the sentiments of a particular community, BJP leaders have refused to accept their excuse.