SAHARANPUR: Hours after being released from jail, Bhim Army chief Chandrashekhar Azad alias Ravan on Friday said he will ensure that BJP is routed in the 2019
Lok Sabha elections. Azad walked out of the jail around 2.40 am as hundreds of his supporters wearing blue ‘Bhim Army’ caps had gathered outside the prison to celebrate his release.
The
Allahabad high court had granted him bail on November 2, 2017. However, police booked him under the stringent National Security Act days before his release. Under the NSA, he was to be detained till October 30. While UP government in an order said they released Azad considering a plea from his mother, the Dalit leader said the government was scared of a rap from the Supreme Court where his plea was to be heard on Friday. The state government’s release orders came even as the
Saharanpur district magistrate had submitted an adverse report against Azad two weeks ago.
The Dalit leader said his stay inside the prison had strengthened his resolve to fight against the alleged atrocities being committed against Dalits. He claimed that he met several inconsolable youngsters inside the jail who were falsely implicated by the police due to their caste. “It’s a very long constitutional fight for our rights. It’s time for the real battle. The Bhim Army was faltering in the absence of a leader, but I have returned now,” the 31-year-old Dalit leader said, adding that he will not contest polls.
Talking about the treatment meted out to him inside the prison, Azad said he was given “dry rotis” and his family was not allowed to meet him. “All that I went through, I will make sure to return it to BJP with interest in the 2019 Lok Sabha polls,” he said.
“A few persons had approached me in jail and I was offered money and promise of the withdrawal of cases if I fought
Kairana bypoll as an independent candidate. I don’t know them but the purpose was clear that my candidature would split votes to ensure BJP’s victory,” the Bhim Army chief said.
