New Delhi: Swaraj Abhiyan leader Yogendra Yadav was detained during a farmers' protest at Jantar Mantar by Delhi Police Monday night.
The former Aam Aadmi Party, who was trying to march towards the Prime Minister's official 7 Race Course Road residence has alleged that he was beaten, manhandled and dragged by Delhi Police.
In a series of tweets, Yadav narrated the incident.
I have been dragged, hit and pushed into a police van. Don't still know my crime.
— Yogendra Yadav (@_YogendraYadav) August 10, 2015
I have been beaten up, manhandled, dragged, pushed and arrested at the parliament street police station. pic.twitter.com/kbJgT9rSuh
— Yogendra Yadav (@_YogendraYadav) August 10, 2015
Is standing peacefully with a Hal an offence? We were not obstructing traffic, were willing to cooperate with any reasonable condition.
— Yogendra Yadav (@_YogendraYadav) August 10, 2015
Meanwhile, support for Yadav has been coming from many quarters, including his colleague Prashant Bhushan and his former team mate Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.
Expressing disappointment over Yogendra Yadav's detention during a farmer's protest in the national capital, ousted AAP leader Prashant Bhushan said that the former had not created any law and order problem but were staging a peaceful protest.
I have been stopped from entering PS police station. Gates of PS locked. No reason for arrest of YY and Ors. Can't enter a PS in Modi Raj!
— Prashant Bhushan (@pbhushan1) August 10, 2015
Illegally detained for 4 hours, police not even allowing YY to meet me as his lawyer, in violation of SC orders which mandates legal access
— Prashant Bhushan (@pbhushan1) August 10, 2015
Kejriwal, who is already locked in a bitter fight with Delhi Police, strongly condemned the incident. The AAP chief sought Home Minister Rajnath Singh's intervention to sort out the matter.
I strongly condemn the treatment metted out to Yogendraji by Delhi police. They were protesting peacefully. It is their fundamental right.
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) August 11, 2015
AAP leader Dharamvir Gandhi has demanded the release of Yadav and the others.
"I demand Yogendra Yadav and others should be released who were detained last night," said Gandhi.
Earlier, a the 'Tractor March' of Jai Kisan Andolan, led by Yadav, was stopped on Sunday evening on the Gurgaon-Delhi border near Kapashera.
The march was launched from Thikriwal village in Punjab's Barnala district on August 1, with members of the Jai Kisan Andolan -- avowedly fighting for justice for the nation's farmers -- from Punjab, Haryana, Mahararstra and Uttar Pradesh participating in it.
On Sunday, the march began from Nuh, after a stopover at Rozka Meo Village, at 10 am and moved towards Gurgaon.
The march passing through Sohna and Badshapur reached Kapashera but Delhi Police denied it entry into Delhi, saying tractors were not allowed on the roads of the national capital.
Yadav showed some papers to the police, claiming to have permission to enter the national capital, but in vain.
The march was heading towards Jantar Mantar, where a farmers' rally is scheduled on Monday.
On being denied entry in Delhi, Yadav tweeted: "& now starts the Tamasha by government! Police not letting our march move inside Delhi. Even though we have had the permission since July 8."
