Uttar Pradesh: Rita Yadav, a member of the Uttar Pradesh Congress who was recently in the news when she protested right in front of Prime Minister Modi and waved black flags at him, was shot at on Monday evening. Yadav had, in November 2021, reportedly raised slogans such as ‘Yogi Murdabad’ and waved black flags near PM Modi’s stage when he was visiting the state to inaugurate the Purvanchal Expressway.
Yadav was shot in the leg near the under construction Lucknow-Varanasi four lane highway in Sultanpur. According to news reports around 6:30 P.M on Monday, January 3, she was returning home reportedly from a meeting in the party office, when her vehicle, a Bolero, reached near the overbridge, three people riding a Pulsar bike ambushed them. When her driver stopped the car, one of the men shot at Yadav and the trio fled. Her driver rushed her to a health centre, which in turn informed the police. Police say that she was rushed to the district hospital and her condition is now stable.
According to Yadav, the criminals, who are yet to be identified, allegedly threatened and verbally abused her, and also pointed a gun at her driver. She added that when she “slapped one of the criminals”, they shot at her and fled. Police say that investigations are on and a search for the accused has been launched.
Who is Rita Yadav?
Rita Yadav was in the news first when she quit the Samajwadi Party and joined the Congress membership in the presence of Priyanka Gandhi on December 17. According to the portal Ground Report, Yadav is also a contender for Congress ticket from Lambhua assembly. On November 16, 2021, Rita Yadav was in limelight when she showed black flags to PM Modi and raised protest slogans against UP Chief Minister Adityanath at their rally at Arwal Keeri in the district. According to reports, Rita Yadav was arrested for the public protest near the PM’s stage, and was granted bail “after two days”.
The Congress, especially Priyanka Gandhi Vadra is now expected to respond strongly to this attack on Yadav. She had recently mobilised thousands of women party workers at her rally in Jhansi on December 26 with the Congress’ latest campaign, ‘Ladki Hoon, Lad Sakti Hoon’ (I’m a girl, I can fight), as the party’s intent to focus on women’s rights, and safety in Uttar Pradesh where Assembly elections are due soon. The Congress general secretary lashed out at Uttar Pradesh CM Adityanath, for allegedly refusing permission for a similar rally in Lucknow.
Taking the state’s chief minister head on, Gandhi said, “Yogi Adityanath sir, you talk about anti-women stuff like controlling them. Hence, you did not allow the womens’ marathon in Lucknow. Girls of Jhansi have sent you a message that they will not tolerate. They will fight for their rights. If you can hold rallies, girls can run.” On December 8 she had launched a campaign aimed at women voters of UP, and said, “Women empowerment is possible only when women get equal rights and get respect. The Congress is committed to giving equal rights and respect to women power.” From then on she has conducted more women focussed meetings and rallies in the state. Sabrang India
