New Delhi: Rajya Sabha MP and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Sanjay Singh has slammed the Yogi-Adityanath government for charging him with sedition for raising people's issues. Singh has been asked to before the police on September 20th over an alleged caste-based survey in Uttar Pradesh. The survey was done to know about the people's perceptions of Yogi government.
In an exclusive interview with ETV Bharat, Sanjay Singh said that the charges framed against him reflect the dictatorship of the UP govt. Singh, who is in-charge of the state unit of the Aam Aadmi Party, said he will visit UP on Sunday and get himself arrested.
Maintaining his stand that he is not anti-national, Singh said, "I would like to convey to UP Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath that I am not scared of anyone. I will come to Lucknow on September 20 after informing the Rajya Sabha chairman. I am ready to get arrested."
"Yogi govt cannot choke my voice against its policies. The state govt can file any case against me but I am not afraid of anyone. I am not going to be silent," Singh said.
The Uttar Pradesh police had lodged an FIR against the AAP leader under various sections of the IPC, including 501A (printing or engraving matter knowing it to be defamatory), 120 (a) (conspiracy) and IT Act, on September 2 at the Hazratganj police station, for undertaking a survey, a senior state government official said.
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However, besides these sections, a sedition charge under 124 (A) has also been included in the notice sent to Singh by the Lucknow police on Thursday, sources said.
The notice, sent to Singh on his New Delhi address, besides other charges mentions charges under IPC 124 A, 153 A (promoting enmity between classes), and 153 B (imputations, assertions prejudicial to national integration).
"The charges against you are serious and non-bailable. You are requested to reach on September 20 at 11 am for presenting facts and evidences. If you fail to remain present, action will be taken against you," the notice, sent by Investigation Officer (IO) at Hazratganj police station, AK Singh said.
EXPOSED SCAMS
Singh raised the issues over alleged corruption in the procurement of oximeters and medical equipment in the state.
"There is a lot of corruption going on in UP in the name of oximeter and thermometer. The oximeter, which is being purchased for Rs 800 each is sold at Rs 3,000. The government is engaged in corruption because it wants to earn a commission. Why did the government purchase oximeter worth Rs 800 for Rs 5,000?", he asked.
Expressing his concerns over the corruption in the state amid pandemic, the AAP MLA said, "My only fault is that I have exposed the scam. Corruption is rampant in the state and even middlemen are involved for cremating the bodies. Yogi govt wants to suppress my voice. Till date, 13 cases have been registered against me as I have highlighted the scams of the Yogi govt."
“When the country is facing a pandemic, the state government is busy in corruption. I took up the issue and conducted a survey regarding the same,” he added.
The AAP had recently conducted a survey in UP where it claimed 69% of the respondents felt that the current government discriminates on the basis of caste.
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Singh claimed he was charged with sedition as he has been raising the issues of caste atrocities and rising crimes in Uttar Pradesh.
Lashing out at the state govt over the increase in crime graph, Sanjay Singh said, "The law and order in the state have deteriorated. Innocent girls are raped, traders are brutally killed for extortion money. A few days ago, three-time former MLA was also murdered in broad daylight. What was my crime? Raising my voice against those helpless people? I will continue to raise my voice for the rights of the people of Uttar Pradesh."
"I am happy to say that 37 MPs from 12 parties have supported me and the Chair assured the House that the entire matter will be investigated," he said.
Singh has received support from 37 opposition MPs, including those from Congress, SP, TMC, Shiv Sena, RJD, TRS, TDP, DMK, NCP, CPI and CPM.
A UP police spokesperson said besides Singh, three directors of a private company, which conducted the survey, have also been slapped with the charges of sedition and fraud. In the survey, whose finding was released by Singh himself, it was said that the Yogi Adityanath government was working for a particular caste. After the survey, at least 13 FIRs were lodged against Singh in various districts of the state.
With PTI inputs
