Two youths from Uttar Pradesh's Bareilly have sought strict legal action after they were harassed and assaulted by a man linked to a Hindutva outfit while they were on their way to the Jantar Mantar protest over the NEET paper leak.
A video of the July 25 incident circulated on social media, showing the accused, identified as Satyam Pandit, questioning the youths about their names, address and religion before slapping one of them. The incident drew political reactions, with Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav demanding the accused's arrest.
The youths, Ayush Ranjan and Rahul Pal, both residents of Bareilly's Mahadev locality, said they had travelled to Delhi on July 23 to participate in the student protest demanding the resignation of then Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the NEET paper leak controversy.
Ayush said they had spent the night at a gurudwara and were heading to Jantar Mantar on the morning of July 25 when a car stopped in front of them. He alleged that several men got out of the vehicle, assaulted them and abused them, and that one of the assailants identified himself as Satyam Pandit.
Ayush said police personnel were present nearby, but he did not file a complaint at the spot because he felt his grievance would not be heard. He has now demanded strict legal action against the accused.
Station House Officer Radheshyam of Fareedpur police station said Ayush Ranjan and Rahul Pal were not facing any threat and that police presence had been increased in their locality.
In the video, Satyam Pandit is seen slapping one of the youths and using abusive language. Attempts to contact him for comment were unsuccessful.
Reacting to the incident, Akhilesh Yadav alleged that the accused was associated with the BJP and demanded immediate action. Samajwadi Party's Bareilly district president Shublesh Yadav said the party stood with students and young people in protecting their democratic rights and called for an impartial inquiry and strict action against those responsible.