UP CM’s Hindu Yuva Vahini takes out Vijay Yatra, booked for ‘unlawful assembly’

Hindu Yuva Vahini is known for its cow vigilantism, forming anti-Romeo squads and staging protests against religious conversions, among others.

The Ghaziabad police has booked over 100 members of Hindu Yuva Vahini, including its district president, for violating prohibitory orders after they held a Vijay Yatra to mark Yogi Adityanath taking over as chief minister of Uttar Pradesh. The right-wing organisation was founded by Adityanath in 2002 and he is also the chief patron of the outfit.

Members of Hindu Yuva Vahini took out a procession between Ghaziabad and Murad Nagar to celebrate Yogi Adityanath being named chief minister of UP on March 24. (HT Photo)

The organisation is known for its cow vigilantism, forming anti-Romeo squads and staging protests against religious conversions, among others.

The complaint against the outfit was filed by sub-inspector Imam Zaidi who stated that a large number of members and supporters took out a procession from Ghaziabad to Murad Nagar on March 24. They were prevented from proceeding further as the procession was taken out without permission as prohibitory orders were in place.

The organisation members said the procession included cars and motorcycles and was attended by nearly 3,000 people. (HT Photo)

“We were taking out the Vijay Yatra to celebrate after Yogiji assumed office as chief minister. The police said we did not take permission. We have already informed them and even the local intelligence units were calling us,” said Jitendra Tyagi, district president, Hindu Yuva Vahini.

“Had they done this (the FIR) during the previous government, we would have replied. Now, the situation has changed since ‘Maharaj ji’ (Yogi Adityanath) is on a post. If we do anything, people will point fingers at us. We will not do anything to bring disrepute to his name. We did not even speak to him over the issue,” he said.

The complaint against the outfit was filed by sub-inspector Imam Zaidi who stated that a large number of members and supporters took out a procession from Ghaziabad to Murad Nagar on March 24. (HT Photo)

The FIR was lodged at Murad Nagar police station under sections 143 (unlawful assembly) and 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) of the IPC. The FIR names Jitendra Tyagi, Amit Tyagi and 100 others. The organisation members said the procession included cars and motorcycles and was attended by nearly 3,000 people.

“The procession was taken out without permission and in violation of prohibitory orders. Since the two sections have punishment of less than seven years, there have been no arrests so far. Investigation is continuing,” said Ashish Srivastava, circle officer, Murad Nagar.