Demanding action against the perpetrators of Lakhimpur Kheri violence, Punjab Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu on Friday sat on fast-unto-death while also taking a pledge of silence until the Union Minister of State Ajay Kumar Mishra’s son, Ashish Mishra, was arrested or join the investigation.
Sidhu made this announcement when he was at the house of the slain journalist, Raman Kashyap, who was among the eight people killed in the violence. Sidhu declared that “unless justice is served”, he would sit at the residence of the deceased on a hunger strike.
“Till the time action is not taken against Ashish, son of Mishra Ji (Union Minister Ajay Mishra), he does not join the investigation, I will sit here on a hunger strike. After this I am silent, will not talk,” he declared while speaking to the media.
On Thursday, Sidhu, along with other party leaders, were detained while marching towards Lakhimpur Kheri. A large number of party leaders including Ministers, legislators, and workers first assembled at Mohali and then marched towards Lakhimpur Kheri. Before they could reach Lakhimpur, they were detained near Saharanpur by the Uttar Pradesh Police. From Saharanpur, they were taken to Sarsawa Police Station.
Sharing the photos of his meeting with one of the families on Twitter, Sidhu tweeted, “Justice Delayed-Justice Denied. With the family of brave heart Lovepreet Singh (20), victim of brutal murders by Union Minister’s son.”
Sidhu consoled the family members of Lovepreet Singh, one of the four farmers killed in the Lakhimpur Kheri violence on Sunday. Later, he said: “What has happened is a barbaric crime. Entire India is asking for justice. Loss of human lives can never be compensated,” he said, adding that Lovepreet Singh’s father said he wants justice.
“There is evidence, video...witness account is there. But the arrest is not being made because he (Ashish Kumar Mishra) is a Union Minister’s son,” the Congress leader said.
Ashish Mishra has been booked for the violence and has been summoned for questioning by Uttar Pradesh Police. Police have called him for questioning on Saturday because he skipped their last summons, with his father claiming that he was unwell, and he would appear for questioning on Saturday.
Ajay Mishra ‘Teni’, Minister of State for Home Affairs, maintained that his son is innocent and claimed it’s a conspiracy. He has, so far, ignored calls for resignation from the Union Council of Ministers over the incident.
Four of the eight people who died in the Lakhimpur Kheri violence were farmers who were allegedly knocked down by vehicles carrying BJP workers. Angry farmers then allegedly lynched two workers of the saffron party and their driver.
The farmers claimed that Ashish Mishra was in one of the vehicles, an allegation denied by him and his father.