By Salman Sultan, TwoCircles.net,
Azamgarh: AICC General Secretary Mr. Digvijay Singh visited Azamgarh along with Ms. Rita Bahuguna, UP Congress president, to apprise himself of the recent arrest of a Muslim youth Shahzad and the whereabouts of all accused in Batla House seemingly fake encounter. Mr. Singh first went to Sanjarpur (3rd February) to meet the family of Muslim boys shot down in the said encounter and other accused who are arrested and presently lodged in different jails (Delhi, Ahmedabad, Jaipur).
Today on 4th February also, Mr. Singh met some families of the accused. He, along with some Congressmen, Mr. Amresh Mishra, Mr. Aijaz Ahmad (President District Congress), Mr. Santosh Singh (Former M.P.), listened to the grievances of parents of accused children and gave a patient hearing to the great problem faced in proving their ward’s innocence because of exorbitant legal expenses, dilly-dallying tactics of prosecution and extremely slow judicial process.
Private audience to the aggrieved family
Presenting Zeeshan (Batla House accused) case
Dr. Javed Akhtar making a point to Mr. Digvijay and Amresh Mishra
Mr. Digvijay Singh held a press conference inside the guest house of Shibli National College, Azamgarh and fielded questions from Press. He explained that his visit to Azamgarh is first of all to apprise him of the total scenario behind the arrests of Muslim youths and then to try for speedy trial. He said, “Justice delayed is justice denied” and blamed the extremist views of both Hindus and Muslims for present vitiated communal environment. He said that his party is for communal harmony and peaceful living of people belonging to all communities. He blamed Mr. Advani’s “Rath Yatra” for polarization and communal disturbances.
During his stay at Shibli College, Digvijay Singh also visited renowned Shibli Academy. He and Ms Bahuguna keenly observed Museum, Manuscripts, etc in the Academy.
inside Shibli Academy
Mr. Digvijay Singh and Ms Rita Bahuguna
browsing through memorabilia
Kalim Sifat presenting Sipasnama