Akhilesh Yadav Posts Edited Video in Meerapur By-Election, Defends Rioters and Attacks UP Police
Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav recently posted an edited video on social media, claiming that it showed Uttar Pradesh police intimidating voters during the Meerapur assembly by-election in Muzaffarnagar on November 20. The video, which quickly went viral, showed a police inspector holding a pistol while allegedly trying to block voters from casting their ballots. In his tweet, Akhilesh Yadav had already accused the police inspector of stopping voters by intimidating them and demanded his suspension. The incident was portrayed as an attempt to intimidate voters and suppress their voting rights in Meerapur.
मीरापुर के ककरौली थाना क्षेत्र के SHO को चुनाव आयोग तुरंत निलंबित किया जाए, क्योंकि वो रिवॉल्वर से धमकाकर वोटर्स को वोट डालने से रोक रहे हैं। @ECISVEEP @SECUttarPradesh@rajivkumarec@spokespersonECI@ceoup#ECI#YouAreTheOne#IVoteForSure#UPPolitics#SamajwadiParty pic.twitter.com/WfiygzqO0t
— Akhilesh Yadav (@yadavakhilesh) November 20, 2024
However, netizens and Muzaffarnagar police quickly came out to confront the accusations of Akhilesh Yadav and revealed the video was edited to mislead the public. When the video in its entirety was published, the truth came out: a violent mob of rioters who were Muslim had attacked police officers during the election process. The stones bombarded the police, who cowered behind walls for cover. The inspector, Rajiv Sharma, was spotted holding the pistol not to threaten the voters but to protect himself and the police team from the violent mob. His action was deemed necessary to control the situation and prevent further escalation.
भैया आप तो क्लिप कटुआ बन गए, पहले पूरा वीडियो डाला बाद में पता चला कि पत्थरबाजी साफ दिख रही है तो धीरे से वीडियो क्रॉप करके जितना प्रोपेगैंडा में फिट बैठ रहा था उतना वीडियो डाल दियाpic.twitter.com/4UhhQC52yn
— अजय प्रताप सिंह (Ajay) (@iAjaySengar) November 20, 2024
Muzaffarnagar Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Abhishek Singh said the police had reached the scene following reports of clashes between two groups. The mob had obstructed the police and tried to block a road. When the policemen tried to clear the road block, the assailants started pelting stones. The police retaliated with necessary force as rioters ran away.
Moreover, an individual tried to bring a mobile phone inside the polling booth. Abdullah, AIMIM candidate's son attempted to take a mobile phone into the polling booth but was checked by the police. The scuffle did not lead to a break in voting.
The controversy over the manipulated version has sparked a huge debate, with many accusing Akhilesh Yadav for creating false news and debate for political benefits. Investigations continue. Thus, the original video discovered the extent of police action in Meerapur to regain order on the violent protests.
