The photo, posted on the website of a Hindi news daily, was reportedly taken on April 1 and lifted from the account of a Samajwadi Party leader on a social networking site. (File photo)
A photograph purportedly showing Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav with a man accused of last week's violent clashes in Saharanpur has sparked a controversy.
However, the Uttar Pradesh government has been quick to dismiss the issue as "baseless and misleading". (
Read: In Saharanpur, a Highway has Become the Symbol of Divide)
The photo, posted on the website of a Hindi news daily, was reportedly taken on April 1 and lifted from the account of a Samajwadi Party leader on a social networking site.
"The news related to the photo of the chief minister with an accused in Saharanpur incident along with other persons is baseless and misleading," an official spokesman said in a statement. (
Read: No 'Meethi' Eid for Saharanpur This Year)
"The chief minister meets a number of people everyday. The photo in which he is shown with the accused, other persons are also visible. In such a situation, making baseless comment on the basis of a photo is not indicative of healthy democratic traditions," he added.
The spokesman said that law and order is the top priority of the government and it would not compromise on that. (
Read: Law and Order Failure Responsible for Saharanpur Clashes, Says BJP)
"The photo is being circulated by some elements with the intention of misleading the people and malign the image of the government," he alleged.
The spokesman also said that the accused in question had been arrested and action as per law is being taken. "Stern action will be taken against criminals disturbing peace in Saharanpur," he said. (
Curfew Relaxed in Saharanpur, Political Blame Game Continues: 10 Developments)
Mr Yadav was earlier targeted by the Opposition for reportedly meeting Maulana Nazeer, against whom a case has been registered for allegedly inflaming communal tension in Muzaffarnagar, in Lucknow in September.
The state government had on Friday ordered a high-level administrative inquiry into the violent clashes in Saharanpur on July 26, which left three people dead and more than 30 injured. Around 165 shops and handcarts as well as 42 vehicles were set ablaze during the violence.
The inquiry report will be submitted within two weeks.