All India Secular Forum

 

The UP police arrested Yugal Kishore Sharan Shastri on 11th January.  He had planned to organize a People’s Panchayat on the issue of attack on Shrine of Sheesh Paighambar, which was attacked on 20 December 13. In this attack a student Zeeshan was killed. The police arrest of Shastriji has been made on the ground that he is ‘threat to peace and order’ in the city.

We understand that the arrest is the result of his sustained campaign to expose the communal elements involved in the attack of shrine of Sheesh Paighamar and murder of Syed Zeeshan alias Danish. The communal nature of UP Government is becoming more and more obvious from quite some time. Its handling of Muzzafarnangar violence and the relief has been a painful fact, it’s a shame on our democracy, Samajvadi party claims to be secular but its actions are very opportunist and communal.

Shastriji is a resident of Hanuman Garhi, Ayodhya and has been working for communal harmony. He has been promoting communal harmony by organizing Peace Yatras and local programs. We express our full solidarity with Shastriji and condemn this action of UP Government.

L.S. Hardenia, Ram Puniyani, Irfan Engineer, Dr. Mohammad Arif

(All India Secular Forum)

Peace activist Shastri released after midnight in Ayodhya

12 Jan 2014 01:01 PM, IST

Peace activist Shastri released after midnight in Ayodhya

Yugal Kishore Shastri

 

By India Tomorrow Staff Reporter,

New Delhi/Ayodha, 12 Jan 2014: Peace activist and priest Yugal Kishor Sharan Shastri, who was arrested Saturday morning from his temple in Ayodhya was released after midnight at 1.30 AM. He said he was shocked at his arrest in a state which is governed by a ‘secular’ party.

 

“I am shocked for my arresting in a government which is termed as most secular government,” Shastri told India Tomorrow.

 

Shastri was arrested for allegedly disturbing peace and harmony after attack on the shrine of Prophet Shees. The shrine was attacked on 20 Dec 2013, in which a student Zeeshan was also killed.

 

Shastri was arrested a day ahead of his planned panchayat on the incident.

 

“They were asking to cancel People’s Panchayat on the issue of attack on the shrine of Prophet Shees, which I refused,” Shastir explained.

 

“I am working for peace and communal harmony for last several years and I am accused of the same,” he added.

 

“When administration becomes mentally communal then they treat people who work for peace against peace,” he further said.

 

Shastri is a noted activist and mahant of Sujarkund temple in Ayodhya. He is known across the country for his peace and communal harmony yatras.

Enhanced by Zemanta