Daijiworld Media Network - Lucknow

Lucknow, Oct 5: Uttar Pradesh minister Dharampal Singh has strongly defended the Yogi Adityanath government’s tough response to recent violent protests in Bareilly, asserting that those who engage in vandalism and stone-pelting will face strict legal action, not leniency. Speaking to reporters on Sunday, the cabinet minister declared that “flowers will not be showered on troublemakers,” emphasizing that law and order must be upheld above all else.

The minister’s remarks come amid allegations from Congress MP Imran Masood, who accused the government of acting with religious bias during the crackdown on protests led by members of the minority community after Friday prayers last week. Responding to the criticism, Singh insisted that action was based on criminal behavior, not religious identity.

“Taufiq Raza Khan incited a crowd, police were attacked, and public property was damaged. In such a situation, is it expected that the police will respond with flowers? This is not a system of appeasement—it is one of justice,” Singh said. He clarified that peaceful expressions of faith or slogans like ‘I love Mohammad’ were not the issue, but the violence that followed was unacceptable.

Highlighting the damage to shops and attacks on police and civilians, Singh questioned how law enforcement could be expected to remain passive. “If stones are thrown and the police throw flowers, how will society function? The law acts against offenders, not based on their religion,” he reiterated.

Dismissing Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav’s accusation of “murder of democracy,” Singh stated that the BJP government operates transparently and is guided by principles of justice and ethical governance.