Chandrashekhar Azad Ravan wants to take the fight to Delhi
Bhim Army founder dreams of a Dalit uprising that will clinch power at the Centre.
The celebration in Saharanpur’s Chhutmalpur has just begun. The man of the moment is Bhim Army founder Chandrashekhar Azad ‘Ravan’, who is out on bail.
“Have faith in me,” Bhim Army founder tells a gathering in the chaupal outside his house. “I don’t make random and baseless statements. In a year and a half, I will form an organisation equal to or bigger than the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. The country will run as per the ideals, as it should have.”
In an interview with Newslaundry, he says the 16 months in jail have made him more resolute and determined about his political and social goal. Chandrashekhar says he will work towards dethroning the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and has a dream of clinching power at the Centre. The advocate and Dalit activist spoke about his life in jail, his political options and why he is declaring war against the BJP and Sangh Parivar.
The Bhim Army founder was arrested by the Uttar Pradesh police in the aftermath of protests and arson triggered by inter-caste violence in Saharanpur's Shabbirpur village in May, 2017. Chandrashekhar had organised a rally in Delhi where he announced that he will surrender in front of the police. He says both the Delhi police and UP police refused to arrest him initially. When asked why he went underground after the Delhi rally, he said, "My sources told me that the UP police intends to kill me in an encounter."
Though Chandrashekhar refers to Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supremo as “Buaji”, Mayawati, in a presser after his release from jail, lambasted the Bhim Army founder: “The one involved in the caste violence against Dalits in Uttar Pradesh’s Shabbirpur village and now released on the bail, which is part of the BJP’s strategy is now using my name. He is calling me Bua and claiming of blood relation. I can’t have any wholehearted relations with people like these.”
When asked to respond to Mayawati’s criticism of the Bhim Army, Chandrashekhar says, “I don’t hold any grudge against her. She might have been misled about me or someone might have provoked her against me. She is my buaji, she has all rights to speak about me. Ye humare parivarik rishtein hain. Ghar ke maamlon mein hum doosre logon ko nahi involve karna chahte [this is an issue within the family, and I refuse to involve outsiders in it].”
Speaking on the role of non-Dalits in his Dalit uprising, he adds, “This is a Bahujan movement.” He further added, “When the national committee [of Bhim Army] will be declared, you will see people from the Bahujan community in key positions. It will be run by people from the Bahujan Samaj.” However, he says there can be space for anyone who wants to work for the cause.
One thing that he is very clear about is his goal ahead, that is, the expansion of Bhim Army. “My fight is against the BJP,” he says when asked whether he is up against the state government or the Centre.
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London, Nov 22: A bomb disposal squad deployed as a “precaution” to the South Terminal of Gatwick Airport concluded an investigation into a "security incident" on Friday after making a “suspect package” safe.
The South Terminal of Gatwick Airport, the UK's second busiest airport after Heathrow, which was briefly shut owing to the incident reopened following the incident.
The Gatwick is around 45 km south of London.
Two people detained during the enquiries have since been allowed to continue their journey as the airport was opened.
“Police have concluded their investigation into a report of a suspect package at Gatwick Airport. Officers from the EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) team made the package safe, and the airport has been handed back to its operator,” Sussex Police said in an updated statement.
“Two people detained while enquiries were ongoing have subsequently been allowed to continue their journeys. There will remain an increased police presence in the area to assist with passengers accessing the South Terminal for onward travel,” the statement added.
Earlier on Friday, the incident caused severe disruption at the busy airport’s South Terminal, while the North Terminal of Gatwick Airport remained unaffected.
“Police were called to the South Terminal at Gatwick Airport at 8.20 am on Friday (November 22) following the discovery of a suspected prohibited item in luggage,” a Sussex Police statement said.
“To ensure the safety of the public, staff and other airport users, a security cordon has been put in place whilst the matter is dealt with. As a precaution, an EOD (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) team is being deployed to the airport. This is causing significant disruption and some roads around the South Terminal have been closed. We’d advise the public to avoid the area where possible,” it said.
Footage on social media taken outside the airport showed crowds of frustrated travellers being moved away from the terminal building.
Gatwick said it was working hard to resolve the issue.
“A large part of the South Terminal has been evacuated as a precaution while we continue to investigate a security incident," the airport said in a social media post.
“Passengers will not be able to enter the South Terminal while this is ongoing. The safety and security of our passengers and staff remain our top priority. We are working hard to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.”
Train and bus services that serve the airport were also impacted while the police carried out their inquiries.
In an unrelated incident in south London on Friday morning, the US Embassy area in Nine Elms by the River Thames was the scene of a controlled explosion by Scotland Yard dealing with what they believe may have been a “hoax device”.
“We can confirm the 'loud bang' reported in the area a short time ago was a controlled explosion carried out by officers,” the Metropolitan Police said in a post on X.
“Initial indications are that the item was a hoax device. An investigation will now follow. Some cordons will remain in place for the time being but the majority of the police response will now be stood down,” it added.
