"The detention of Ashok Singhal, one of the most renowned VHP leaders, by the UP government is brazenly illegal and unlawful step and a gross violation of Article 19 of the Constitution," Swamy said in a statement.
He maintained that Singhal was engaged in a peaceful demonstration for the acceptance of a "widely popular demand of building a Ram temple by negotiated settlement".
"So under what law can the Chief Minister order this illegal detention? I demand the immediate release of Mr Singhal and an apology from Akhilesh Yadav," he said.
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