AGRA: Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar Azad on Friday accused Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath of "lying to the family of the Hathras’s dalit gang-rape and murder victim by promising them a job and a house last year". He claimed that contrary to Yogi’s public announcements, the district administration had confirmed to him that they had received "no such orders from the state government".
Azad reached the dalit victim’s house on Thursday and spent the night with the family. The next morning he met the district magistrate (DM) to know about the reasons for delay in fulfilling the CM's promise.
After the meeting, Azad told media persons that "no CM would ever lie like Yogi Adityanath". He added that such a person should not continue in his position. “Who should we trust and expect justice from, if the CM starts lying?” he said.
Later in the day, Azad met the commissioner (Aligarh range) and DIG and they assured him that they would work on it and try to fulfil the demands within a week. “They promised a job and a house to the victim’s family within seven days. We will stage an indefinite protest, if the demands are not met,” he said, adding that they will wait for at least 10 days.
Incidentally, a letter which was signed by the then DM, superintendent of police and additional DM mentioned several assurances. It included "Rs 25 lakh financial assistance, provisions of a government Group C job to one of the victim’s brothers and a house for the family and fast-tracking of the investigation".
The Bhim Army chief further said the dalit community was treated like "pests" by the BJP-led government and they will give a befitting reply in next year's assembly polls.
