Following up to the Uttar Pradesh Government putting up hoardings of anti-CAA protestors, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, on Monday, said that the protestors are like coronavirus who are working against humanity.
A week ago, the Allahabad High Court had come down heavily on Adityanath for allegedly breaching the privacy of people who protested against the center’s citizenship amendment act. The court also directed the District Magistrate to remove the hoardings immediately. Justifying the hoardings, Adityanath expressed that it is necessary for the Uttar Pradesh public to know the names of people who in the name of organizations are effectively enemies of humanity.
Comparison of anti-CAA rioters to coronavirus
Continuing along those lines, the UP Chief Minister showed no hesitation comparing the protestors to the deadly coronavirus. The difference between them, according to him, is that while the people have recognized that corona is their enemy, it is time now for them to realize the same about these protestors. He also stressed the urgency to fight vigorously against both.
He also added that these people (anti-CAA protestors) are hiding behind Non-profit Organizations and misleading the people about their intent and action. By saying so, Adityanath has shown no restrain in standing by his decision of naming and shaming the protestors.
Supreme Court refuses to put a stay of HC order
The Uttar Pradesh government later appealed to the Supreme Court challenging the verdict of Allahabad High Court. A two-judge bench was constituted for hearing the matter which referred the appeal to a larger bench.
Citing that the matter needs more consideration, the bench consisting of Justice Anuradha Bose and UU Lalit referred the case for consideration in the next week. However, the Supreme Court refused to put a stay on the Allahabad High Court order of March 9th.
The Allahabad High Court had taken suo moto cognizance of the matter on Sunday, 8th of March. On the following day, the division bench headed by Chief Justice Govind Mathur and Justice Ramesh Sinha ordered the removal of hoardings from the city of Lucknow. The hoarding contained the names and addresses of the protestors along with a warning that if they failed to reimburse the damage caused, their property will be snatched.
