Madhya Pradesh: Preacher held for poll code violation

Prohibitory orders are in place in view of the November 28 polls and no rally is permitted without permission from authorities.

DAYS BEFORE he clears the air on whether he will contest the assembly elections or not, preacher Devkinandan Thakur, who shot to limelight after his opposition to amendments to the SC/ST Act, was taken into custody in Datia town for violation of the model code of conduct.

Thakur and his supporters in more than 50 vehicles visited the Peetambara Peeth in Datia, one of the places affected by caste tension on April 2 when Dalit outfits called a bandh to protest against alleged dilution of the SC/ST Act. Police allowed them to visit the temple but detained them immediately after and took them to Kotwali Police Station where a case was lodged under Section 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant) of IPC.

Prohibitory orders are in place in view of the November 28 polls and no rally is permitted without permission from authorities.

The rally was taken under the banner of Akhand Bharat Mission, which has opposed amendments to SC/ST Act. Thakur’s aide Vijay Shukla said the arrest was not justified because the preacher only wanted to visit the temple. SP Mayank Awasthi said Thakur and his supporters were released on bail.