BKU leader Tikait arrested to enforce law: Mayawati

Lucknow, Apr 2 : Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati today said that the Bharatiya Kisan Union leader Mahendra Singh Tikait was arrested in order to enforce the rule of law and not out of any personal or caste enmity.

Talking to reporters here, Mayawati said that it was government's responsibility to enforce law.

"Tikait has apologised for his remarks. He has submitted himself before the law. Now the law will take its course," she added.

Mayawati said there has been criticism that the arrest has been delayed.

"We could have arrested him on the same day when he made the remarks but my government, police and the administration have shown patience. I am happy that despite tension the police and administration had shown restraint during the arrest. I congratulate these people," she said.

Tikait, who was arrested on Wednesday, was given bail a few hours later, ending a two-day standoff with the Mayawati Government.

A court in Bijnore gave bail to Tikait against whom a warrant of arrest had been issued on Monday under the Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes Atrocities Prevention Act.

He was arrested in Muzaffarnagar, near his village Sisauli on Wednesday.

Earlier, UP Police arrested Tikait for his alleged casteist remarks against Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati.

His arrest took place immediately after news spread that he was planning to surrender in a Bijnore court.

Supporters of Tikait demanded the withdrawal of all cases against him and other BKU leaders registered in Sisauli. They also asked the State Government not to oppose his bail plea.

On Tuesday, Tikait had announced he would not surrender, as his supporters did not want him to do so.

However, Tikait had showed signs of softening his stand by describing Mayawati as his daughter and expressing his willingness to withdraw his controversial remarks against her if she wanted him to.

On Sunday, he had allegedly made a derogatory reference against Mayawati at a farmers' rally in Bijnore District.

The rally was organised by the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) leader, Swami Omvesh. Following the alleged casteist remark, Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) supporters went on a rampage. Thereafter, an FIR was lodged against the BKU leader at a police station.

Tikait's sons Rakesh Tikait and Surendra Tikait are already under arrest.

ANI