Former Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister and Samajwadi Party President Akhilesh Yadav got angry with journalists in a press conference and incited his party workers to physically assault journalists Thursday.
Many journalists were injured.
Senior Journalist Fareed Shamsi said, “Akhilesh Yadav got angry when we asked questions. We were just doing our job. Many of my friends from other media houses were also badly beaten up.”
The journalists were beaten with rifle butts and sticks. They were rushed to the hospital in ambulances.
Yadav also threatened and insulted the journalists saying they were sold out.
This is not the first time Yadav has instigated his party workers to mock and assault journalists.
Recently, Yadav had mocked and insulted a journalist for asking a question in a press conference. After his instigation, his party workers were also seen silencing the journalist.
He had accused the journalist of being an agent of the Bharatiya Janata Party.
The term of the Legislative Assembly in Uttar Pradesh is coming to an end in March next year. So, less than a year is left for the polls.
All the political parties in the state are gearing up for the election.
Akhilesh Yadav was the chief minister of Uttar Pradesh from 2012-17. After a bitter fight with his father Mulayam Singh Yadav, Akhilesh wrested control of the party.
Mulayam Singh Yadav had founded the Samajwadi Party in 1992.
