Police mistook RSS ideologue Rakesh Sinha as a Dalit protester
A professor of the Delhi University who is also an ideologue of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, Rakesh Sinha, was caught in the chaos of protests during Monday's
nationwide Bharat bandh. Mr Sinha claimed he was detained by the Noida police, who thought he was a Dalit protester.
"I was going to take part in a panel discussion at a media house in Noida when I was pulled inside a police jeep. There were eight policemen led by the SHO Noida, who were using abusive language. When I asked them why I was detained, they simply said I was free to go now," Mr Sinha told news agency ANI.
"The police later said that they suspected me to be a Dalit protester. I appeal to the police that basic human
rights and dignity of a person should be kept in mind," said Mr Sinha.
The police in Delhi, and neighbouring Noida and Gurugram were on high alert after reports of largescale violence started pouring in. Senior officers were out keeping a close watch on the situation.
Police in Delhi, Noida and Gurgaon were on high alert during Bharat bandh protests
At least nine people died yesterday as Dalit groups tried to enforce a nationwide shutdown. In Madhya Pradesh, six people died in clashes, two were killed in
Uttar Pradesh and one in Rajasthan's Alwar. Violence was also reported from parts of Punjab and Jharkhand.
Punjab came to a standstill as the government had the army on stand-by and kept transport off the roads. The Dalits are protesting a Supreme Court order, which they say dilutes a law meant to protect the community. The centre has asked the Supreme Court to review the order.
With inputs from ANI