In Saharanpur, raising one’s voice against India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) appears to have become a punishable act, as Muslim Member of Parliament Imran Masood was placed under house arrest.
According to Indian media, the move comes ahead of a planned “Vote Thief, Resign” bicycle rally, which was intended to protest alleged electoral misconduct but was halted before it could even begin due to heavy police surveillance.
The Indian media stated that MP Imran Masood was going to launch the “Vote Thief, Resign” bicycle rally. But before the rally could even start, the police imposed tight surveillance on him. Meanwhile, on Sunday morning, Samajwadi Party MLA Shahnawaz Khan was placed under house arrest at his residence on Chakrata Road.
Earlier, late at night, the police had completely turned his house into a cantonment. Similarly, heavy police deployments were stationed at the residences of Member of Parliament Imran Masood and several other leaders.
Party workers participating in the yatra (procession) were prevented from leaving their homes and party offices, causing severe anger among supporters engaged in preparations for the yatra, according to Indian media.
House-arrested SP MLA Shahnawaz Khan alleged that the Election Commission is acting on the instructions of the BJP and attempting to suppress democratic voices. He stated that the government is worried about the exposure of those who steal the public’s votes.
