Hitting out at Rahul Gandhi’s yatra in Bhatta-Parsaul, the main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday asked why the Congress party’s “compassion” was only limited to happenings in Uttar Pradesh and why was it not displayed after the police crackdown on Baba Ramdev’s camp.
“When the police atrocities occur in Uttar Pradesh, they have a different standard; when police atrocities occur in Delhi they have different standards,” BJP spokesperson Rajiv Pratap Rudy said.
“The camp of Baba Ramdev was attacked at midnight, tear gas shells were used, women and children were baton-charged; all political parties had discussed it,” Rudy said at a press conference. “We want to understand why the compassion is only limited to happenings in Uttar Pradesh, why can’t the leadership of Congress display such compassion for any incident that takes place in the country as well, especially in the national capital.” Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi is holding a march across Bhatta-Parsaul villages of Uttar Pradesh which saw fierce protests by farmers against inadequate compensation for land acquired two months ago.
“How can there be two standards of compassion, especially for a national leader,” Rudy questioned. The police swooped down on yoga guru Baba Ramdev’s camp in the capital in the wee hours of June 5 and baton charged supporters, injuring several people. The incident evoked widespread criticism against the government.