Shrikant Tyagi was arrested from Meerut after the video of the incident went viral.
A massive rally was organised today in Noida, near Delhi, in support of Shrikant Tyagi, the politician who was filmed abusing and assaulting a woman a few days ago.
Slogans raised at the panchayat, organised by the Tyagi community, condemned local BJP MP Mahesh Sharma, who had said the politician was not a member of the ruling party. The community is believed to be unhappy with the Gautam Buddh Nagar MP over his alleged use of derogatory words against the community. Mr Sharma, however, has denied making any such remarks.
Residents of the Grand Omaxe Society, where the incident had taken place earlier this month, staged a silent protest and put up posters.
While posters at the rally linked the issue with the Tyagi community's respect, the ones at the society read "United residents against injustice". "We say no to - injustice, oppression, humiliation of women, and abuses, and encroachment," the posters at the society said.
The gathering organised by the Sanyukt Tyagi Swabhiman Morcha in support of Shrikant Tyagi began around 10 am at Ramlila ground in Gejha village. The rally was attended by hundreds of Tyagi community members from various parts of western Uttar Pradesh.
Members of the community said Shrikant Tyagi must be punished for his violence and abuse, but it was wrong to summon his wife and aunt to the police station.
"The police took Shrikant's aunt in a jeep and roamed around western UP for four days. This in inhumane," said Trilok Tyagi, general secretary, Rashtriya Lok Dal. They also called for the withdrawal of the police case against six others, who they claimed were charged under political influence.
Meanwhile, residents of the Grand Omaxe Society said the issue would not have been blow out of proportion if Tyagi adhered to the society's rules and not misbehaved with the woman.
"His first mistake was that he violated the society's rules. Secondly, he misbehaved with a woman and the kind of language he used made this a bigger issue," said Mahima Joshi, General Secretary, Resident Welfare Association (RWA), Grand Omaxe Society.
The residents stated their protest is against Shrikant Tyagi alone, and not against any community.
Tyagi was arrested from Meerut after a video of him verbally abusing and shoving the woman went viral earlier this month.
He has claimed to be a member of the BJP Kisan Morcha, but the BJP has denied any association with him. He was seen posing with top BJP leaders, including party president JP Nadda, in photos on his social media handles.