New Delhi: Mohd Junaid, a volunteer associated with the ongoing student- and youth-led protests at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, has alleged that Uttar Pradesh Police raided his home and detained several members of his family following his participation in the demonstrations.
According to Junaid, police took his father and minor brother into custody during the raid, The Lallantop reported.
He further alleged that in Meerut, his sister's father-in-law and brother-in-law were also detained by the police.
Junaid also claimed that police seized his family's Aadhaar cards and bank passbooks during the raid.
Junaid, who has been volunteering at Jantar Mantar by distributing food and water to protesters, told The Lallantop that the alleged police action was an attempt to intimidate him and his family over his involvement in the ongoing protests.
He also alleged that the Masuri Police in Uttar Pradesh's Ghaziabad district were harassing his family and asking them to produce him before the police.
"What is my crime? Is providing food and water a crime?" he asked.
Expressing solidarity with Junaid, the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) said in a statement on X, "Instead of going after criminals, UP Police is wasting its time going after our volunteer Mohd Junaid, who has been serving food and water to people."
The party added, "Now they're harassing him and his family in UP. Our team is in touch with him, and we will never let them victimise him or his family."
"It is no longer shocking how this government responds to dissent, but we will not be intimidated by these cowards. Every illegal action of the police will be challenged in courts," the CJP further said in its statement.
The allegations also drew condemnation from student activists. Danish Ali of the All India Students' Association (AISA) said the organisation stood in solidarity with Junaid and his family.
"We stand in solidarity with Junaid Bhai and his family against the illegal police action. The BJP government has once again revealed its true face by targeting his family. We strongly condemn the actions of the UP Police, the Yogi government, and the fascist BJP regime," Ali said in a statement.
The Uttar Pradesh Police has not issued an official response to Junaid's allegations.