Samajwadi Party Leaders Confined Ahead of Planned Varanasi Protest March
In a significant preemptive move by authorities, numerous leaders and office-bearers of the Samajwadi Party were placed under house arrest in Varanasi on Saturday. This action was taken to prevent them from marching to the Dalmandi area, where they intended to engage with residents affected by an ongoing road widening initiative.
Delegation Blocked from Assessing Project Impact
The Samajwadi Party high command had constituted a formal delegation, led by Lal Bihari Yadav, the Leader of the Opposition in the Vidhan Parishad. Their mission was to meet local citizens and comprehensively understand the challenges arising from the infrastructure project. Under this development plan, approximately 50 out of 187 identified buildings have already been demolished, with Public Works Department and Varanasi Municipal Corporation teams actively clearing debris from these sites.
A heavy police contingent was strategically deployed at the circuit house to intercept Lal Bihari Yadav, although he did not ultimately arrive at that location. In a parallel incident, Virendra Singh, the SP Member of Parliament from Chandauli, was detained for several minutes upon landing at the Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport to bar his access to Dalmandi.
Senior Leaders and Office-Bearers Restricted
Other prominent figures, including former Uttar Pradesh minister Surendra Patel, former MLA Abdul Samad Ansari, and various party office-bearers, were similarly placed under house arrest. Assistant Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Shiv Hari Meena clarified that this was a preventive measure, specifically targeting individuals named on the party's delegation list to stop them from reaching Dalmandi.
Samajwadi Party representatives asserted that their planned visit to Dalmandi, intended to discuss road-widening issues with locals under the directive of party chief Akhilesh Yadav, was unjustly obstructed. Abdul Samad Ansari condemned the administration's actions, labeling them a "strangulation of democracy" by both police and civic authorities.
Incidents of Defiance and Accusations
Despite the widespread restrictions, some party members managed to evade confinement. Office-bearer Lalu Yadav successfully reached Dalmandi, accusing the government of systematically suppressing opposition voices. He vowed that the Samajwadi Party would steadfastly support the affected victims and continue to highlight their grievances.
A high-tension situation erupted at the Chowk entry point of Dalmandi when another office-bearer, Puja Yadav, also arrived at the location. As she refused to halt, women police officers were summoned to the scene. Eventually, she was escorted to the Chowk police station, underscoring the charged atmosphere surrounding the protest.
The unfolding events highlight the deepening political tensions in Varanasi over the road widening project, with the Samajwadi Party positioning itself as a champion for displaced residents while authorities emphasize maintaining public order through preventive measures.
