In the aftermath of the riots, there are growing concerns over unilateral arrests, with reports indicating that Muslims are being disproportionately targeted
Team Clarion
NEW DELHI — The Yogi Adityanath government is facing harsh criticism from opposition parties, including the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), Congress, and Samajwadi Party, following the recent communal riots in Bahraich. The riots, which left several Muslim homes burnt and looted and vanadlised, have sparked nationwide outrage, especially on social media, where videos and images of the violence have circulated widely.
BSP chief Mayawati sharply criticised the Yogi government, alleging that the administration failed to prevent the riots. She stated that had the government taken proactive measures, the tragic events in Bahraich could have been avoided. “The government’s first responsibility, regardless of the festival or religion, is to maintain law and order. Special arrangements should be made during such occasions. If the government had fulfilled its responsibility, this unfortunate incident would not have occurred,” Mayawati said, condemning the failure of both the government and the administration.
The Samajwadi Party (SP) also targeted the BJP-led state government for mishandling the situation. SP state President Shyam Lal Pal, while addressing the media in Varanasi, expressed deep concern over the violence in Bahraich, calling it “very sad.” He emphasised that the state government’s failure to maintain peace was directly responsible for the violence.
The Congress party extended its criticism beyond Bahraich, accusing the BJP of mismanaging the situation across several states. Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate highlighted the worsening security situation in Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Chhattisgarh, pointing to several violent incidents that have occurred in recent months. Shrinate mentioned the brutal killing of a police officer’s wife and daughter in Chhattisgarh’s Surajpur and the public murder of former Maharashtra minister Baba Siddique in Mumbai as evidence of the crumbling law and order under BJP’s governance.
In a video shared by Shrinate, she questioned the BJP governments at both the state and central levels: “From Maharashtra to Uttar Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, the legal system has completely collapsed.” She accused the ruling party of allowing violence and hatred to flourish unchecked. “The biggest question is who is responsible for this hatred? Who is accountable for the deaths of innocent children caught in sectarian violence?” she asked, further criticising the inefficiency of the police in preventing such crimes.
In the aftermath of the riots, there have been growing concerns over unilateral arrests, with reports indicating that Muslims in the area are being disproportionately targeted. Locals allege that the government is failing to take action against the miscreants responsible for the violence, and instead, focusing on those attempting to defend themselves. This has further intensified fears within the Muslim community, as many feel vulnerable and unsupported by the authorities.
In response to the violence, the district administration shut down internet services in Bahraich to prevent the spread of inflammatory content. However, opposition parties argue that this move reflects the government’s failure to control the situation on the ground. With the internet blackout in place, communication within the affected areas has been disrupted, complicating efforts to restore peace.
The Bahraich riots have triggered a national conversation about the state of law and order under BJP leadership. As opposition parties continue to mount pressure on the Yogi government, questions are being raised about the handling of communal tensions and the role of police in curbing violence. For now, the situation in Bahraich remains tense, with heavy police deployment in place and a curfew-like atmosphere continuing.
With opposition leaders continuing to voice their concerns, the Yogi government is likely to face increasing scrutiny over its response to the riots and its approach to maintaining communal harmony across the state.