UP CM should apologise for arresting VHP leaders: Subramanian Swamy

New Delhi, Aug 26: Describing the detention of VHP leader Ashok Singhal as "brazenly illegal and unlawful", BJP leader Subramanian Swamy on Sunday demanded that he be released immediately and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav tender an apology for this act.

"The detention of Ashok Singhal, one of the most renowned VHP leaders, by the UP government is brazenly illegal and unlawful step and a gross violation of Article 19 of the Constitution," Swamy said in a statement.

He maintained that Singhal was engaged in a peaceful demonstration for the acceptance of a "widely popular demand of building a Ram temple by negotiated settlement".

Swamy, who had merged his Janata Party into the BJP on August 11, said for this purpose SP Chief Mulayam Singh Yadav was asked to mediate on this issue.

"So under what law can the Chief Minister order this illegal detention? I demand the immediate release of Mr Singhal and an apology from Akhilesh Yadav," he said.

PTI