The Vikas Dubey case has taken many turns so far. It started with the murder of eight policemen in Kanpur late night on July 2. And within 7 days, the loop got completed when the UP Police killed Vikas Dubey in an encounter in the early morning around 7 AM on July 10. During these 7 days, the story displayed many elements starting from barbarism by the Dubey gang, to the heroism by the UP Police. But the latest twist in the story has actually vilified all the efforts that the UP Police put in to arrest this notorious gangster. This is the political twist that all the political parties have given to the entire story.
The encounter episode has once again divided the political parties into two groups. One supports the action of UP Police, while the other terms it as a staged drama to save the ruling BJP government in the state.
Akhilesh Yadav, former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh and Samajwadi Party president straightway raised the question on the intention of the Yogi Adityanath government. He alleged that ‘it is not the car that has turned, it is an effort to safeguard the government and its secrets”. However, as a matter of fact, gangster Vikas Dubey tried to make a shift to politics during Akhilesh Yadav’s tenure only.
Mayawati, on the other hand, asked to set up a judicial inquiry so that everyone who supported Vikas Dubey should be brought to justice. Apparently, Vikas Dubey started his criminal career under his chief ministership only. He flourished and acquired Bahubali status under her tenure.
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, the Congress Party’s Vice President and the in-change of Uttar Pradesh elections, has also raised questions on the action of UP Police.
Though it is a politically insignificant party as far as Uttar Pradesh is concerned, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra is trying to rebuild its voter base before the elections in the state.
It is true that the way the encounter happened raises some elements of doubt. However, it is equally true that Vikas Dubey was a criminal of extreme nature. As the report says that he had snatched one revolver from the policeman and was firing on them, he would have killed some more policemen if they had not fired on him in retaliation.
The IG of Kanpur, Mohit Aggarwal has congratulated his fellow policemen on their bravery. He said that it was an action taken in self-defense.
Indeed, the entire episode should have been taken that way only. But, in that case, the political parties might have lost their significance.
