Asaduddin Owaisi, the AIMIM chief, has harshly condemned the administration of Yogi Adityanath, the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, after the Bahraich encounter. Owaisi blamed the government of Adityanath for creating such a dangerous atmosphere by its notorious “thok denge”(shoot them) policy. This in response to rising tension since the bahraich incident, where a man with a history of severe criminal activity was shot by the police.
Owaisi’s statement reflected his concerns about the law and order situation in Uttar Pradesh, suggesting that encounters, such as the one in Bahraich, are part of an overarching state-sponsored violence strategy. He argued that this “encounter culture” has been normalized under the Yogi government, leading to fears of extrajudicial killings. Even the AIMIM president complained about the targeted community and the fake encounter.
The incident Owaisi refers to is connected to a recent encounter where police shot dead a man accused of heinous crimes. This has sparked widespread debates over the legality and necessity of such police actions in Uttar Pradesh, where the administration has been accused of executing an aggressive law enforcement policy to curb crime.
Yogi Adityanath’s ‘Thok Denge’ Policy
The term ‘thok denge’ gained notoriety after Yogi Adityanath’s open endorsement of harsh policing methods as a deterrent against crime. Under his administration, encounters have risen significantly, with officials defending them as a necessary evil to maintain law and order in a state plagued by crime. However, critics like Owaisi argue that such tactics encourage a dangerous level of impunity for the police.
Owaisi’s critique comes as part of a broader political narrative against the BJP-led government in Uttar Pradesh. He has repeatedly challenged the state’s policies, claiming they disproportionately affect minority communities. In his recent remarks, Owaisi called for a judicial inquiry into the Bahraich encounter, emphasizing that democratic nations cannot tolerate extrajudicial killings under any circumstance.
The Bahraich encounter has received significant media attention, sparking discussions on police accountability and human rights. While supporters of the Yogi government argue that the encounters help ensure public safety, opposition leaders and activists question whether such actions are legally justified.
Asaduddin Owaisi’s comments underscore the tension between law enforcement methods and civil liberties in Uttar Pradesh. His criticism of Yogi Adityanath’s ‘thok denge’ policy highlights concerns over unchecked police power and the potential for abuse. With the Bahraich encounter now under the spotlight, the state government faces increasing pressure to address these concerns while balancing crime control measures.
