The lawmaker alleges that police officials insulted the victim’s mother when she visited the DIG office seeking justice
NEW DELHI — Iqra Hasan, Member of Parliament from Kairana in Uttar Pradesh, was detained by police in Saharanpur on Monday after a protest outside the office of the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) over the Monu Kashyap murder case.
The detention of the young Samajwadi Party leader triggered a political row in western Uttar Pradesh, with party workers accusing the administration of trying to silence the opposition and disrespecting the family of the deceased.
According to party leaders, Iqra Hasan had travelled from Shamli to Saharanpur along with family members of Monu Kashyap, who was recently murdered. The family had gone to meet senior police officials seeking justice and demanding strict action in the case.
A large number of Samajwadi Party workers and local leaders also gathered outside the DIG office during the visit. Tension rose after Iqra Hasan alleged that the DIG behaved disrespectfully towards Monu Kashyap’s mother and refused to properly hear her concerns.
Speaking after the incident, Iqra Hasan said, “The victim’s mother came here hoping for justice. Instead of listening to her with respect, she was asked to simply submit an application and leave. This behaviour is painful and unacceptable.”
She further said that families who lose their loved ones should not be treated in such a manner by senior officials. “People come to the police with hope. If grieving mothers are not heard properly, then where will ordinary citizens go?” she asked.
Party workers present outside the DIG office raised slogans demanding justice in the murder case. Police officials later accused some protesters of blocking roads and creating disruption near the office premises.
Police detained several people, including former minister and Samajwadi Party leader Mangeram Kashyap. Officials said legal action was being initiated in connection with the alleged road blockade.
Vyom Bindal said police had taken action after protesters blocked the road outside the DIG office. “Necessary legal action is being taken regarding the obstruction and disturbance outside the office,” he said.
Supporters of Iqra Hasan, however, claimed that the protest was peaceful and that police acted harshly against opposition leaders who were accompanying a grieving family.
One Samajwadi Party worker present at the spot said, “Iqra Hasan only stood with the victim’s family and demanded that officials listen to them seriously. Instead of addressing their concerns, the administration detained opposition leaders.”
Another supporter said the detention of an elected Member of Parliament had angered many people in the region. “People expect public representatives to raise the voice of victims. Detaining MPs and party workers sends a wrong message,” he said.
After being detained in Saharanpur, Iqra Hasan was later released near the Kairana border, according to party leaders. The release came after several hours of political tension and protests by Samajwadi Party supporters.
The incident quickly became a major political issue in western Uttar Pradesh, with opposition leaders accusing the administration of acting unfairly against those raising public issues.
Iqra Hasan, one of the prominent young Muslim faces in Uttar Pradesh politics, has been active on issues related to law and order, local grievances and minority concerns in the Kairana region. Her detention drew strong reactions from party workers across Shamli and nearby districts.
Meanwhile, police officials maintained that the action was taken only to control the situation outside the DIG office and prevent disruption in the area.
The Monu Kashyap murder case has already drawn attention in the region, and Monday’s events added a political dimension to the matter, with opposition parties questioning the conduct of officials towards the victim’s family.
By late evening, Samajwadi Party workers in parts of western Uttar Pradesh continued to protest against the detention, demanding respectful treatment for families seeking justice and accusing the administration of suppressing democratic protest.
