Innocent won't be harassed by anti-Romeo squads: Keshav Prasad Maurya

Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya on 24 March, 2017 said that innocent people would not be harassed by the anti-Romeo squads but made it clear that eve teasing would not be tolerated.

His reaction came after the opposition sought central intervention into what they alleged "violation of the Constitution" in Uttar Pradesh by allowing "anti-Romeo" squads to "ridicule democracy and the freedom of youngsters" .

"They (opposition) have no valid reasons to oppose the BJP. So, they have raised this controversy. No innocent would be harassed but eve teasing won't be tolerated," Maurya told ANI.

"No illegal activities will run in Uttar Pradesh from now on," he added.

Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh came out in defence for the Uttar Pradesh Government while rejecting allegations that certain communities were facing discrimination in the state.

Singh said the BJP government does not discriminate on the basis of caste, creed or religion, adding it follows the principle of "Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas".

Congress MP Ranjeeta Ranjan while raising the issue during the Zero Hour in the Lok Sabha yesterday said that youth in Uttar Pradesh are being harassed and humiliated by the arbitrary actions of the anti-Romeo squads constituted by the new government in the state.

"The youth are being harassed and humiliated by the anti-Romeo squads. There is a particular caste, which is being targeted by the state government. A particular community is also being targeted by the UP government," Ranjan said.

She was later supported by the other Opposition MPs in the Lok Sabha.

Anti-Romeo squads, a poll promise of the BJP, started on a wrong note on 22 March, 2017 when visuals on TV suggested harassment and humiliation of young couples and men even in groups.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath then directed that the couples should not be targeted.

-ANI