• By Mayukh Debnath
  • Mon, 21 Oct 2024 11:44 PM (IST)
  • Source:JND
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Yogendra Yadav Attacked: Political activist Yogendra Yadav was allegedly manhandled on Monday at an event in Maharashtra's Akola that was reportedly disrupted by members of the Prakash Ambedkar-led Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA). He was addressing the event, titled 'Loktantra Ki Suraksha Aur Hamara Vote', when VBA workers started raising slogans and hurled chairs inside the venue, news agency PTI reported. 

Yadav, who heads Swaraj India, said he was unsure of the identities of those who created ruckus at the event, but said his local colleagues of 'Bharat Jodo Abhiyan' identified the miscreants as VBA workers. He further asserted that the alleged attack on him was in theory an assault on the ideals of Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar, Prakash Ambedkar's late grandfather and the 'father of Indian Constitution'.

YOGENDRA YADAV ATTACKED: 'HE SAID ORDER FROM SAHAB'

In a post shared along with a video statement on X (formerly known as Twitter), Yadav alleged that a "mob of 40-50 people" gathered on the stage and attempted to prevent him from speaking. The event had to be called off despite a police intervention, he claimed.

"I do not know anyone, but local colleagues have taken 24 names. They are people of Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi. One of our colleagues asked why did you people do this? Then man said it was the order of the 'sahab', I do not know who the 'sahab' is. But if the people of Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi have done this then I am very surprised. Yogendra Yadav is a very small man, you have not attacked him, you have attacked the constitution of Baba Saheb, you have attacked the democracy which you keep on talking about day and night and you have shamed your leader Prakash Ambedkar," Yadav told reporters.

YOGENDRA YADAV MOB ATTACK: 'NO DOUBT PRAKASH AMBEDKAR...'

He added, "There is no doubt that Prakash Ambedkar's line of thinking and ours are different but such an attack would be carried out due to differences of opinion, it is beyond my imagination. I at least do not consider Prakash Ambedkar to be a person who can carry out such an act." The VBA workers at the venue were protesting against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's comments on reservations, PTI said in its report.

(With inputs from agencies)