Shanty Demolition Sparks Outrage, Raises Questions on Governance

A viral video of a young girl fleeing with her books during a demolition drive in Ambedkar Nagar has triggered public outrage. Opposition leaders criticized the action, highlighting the harsh realities of governance. Authorities defended the move, citing legal compliance and the need to remove encroachments.

The demolition of shanties in Ambedkar Nagar's Jalalpur area stirred controversy after a video showing an eight-year-old girl clutching her books went viral. The footage elicited strong reactions from opposition parties, who questioned the state's governance.

Former Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav criticized the demolition, labeling it as indicative of Uttar Pradesh's deteriorating conditions. He shared an AI-generated image paralleling the event, while Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath discussed infrastructural improvements in a separate press conference.

The Uttar Pradesh Congress also weighed in, condemning the demolition and highlighting its impact on the child's education. The local police justified the action as legally compliant, aimed at removing encroachments on government land, emphasizing notices were served beforehand.

(With inputs from agencies.)