Oppn walkout in UP Assembly over 'false cases' against Dalits

The entire opposition staged a walkout in the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly today, accusing the state government of framing Dalits in fake cases.

BSP legislature party leader Lalji Verma alleged that party members, including former MLA Yogesh Verma, were booked under false charges during a protest in April against the dilution of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

Lalji Verma raised the issue through an adjournment motion.

There were angry exchanges when Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath urged the Chair to allow a BJP MLA to speak on the issue. Leader of Opposition Ram Govind Chaudhary objected, saying only those had given notice should be allowed to speak.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Suresh Khanna said Yogesh Verma had led the protesters who indulged in violence during the Bharat Bandh in April.

"Yogesh Verma is a habitual criminal, he alleged. Cases have been lodged against him in the past also when BJP was not in power."