Lucknow: Former Uttar Pradesh police chief and Rajya Sabha MP Brij Lal on August 16 sharply criticized Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav for pledging justice to the PDA category upon returning to power in the state.
In his statement, Lal noted that he himself belongs to the Dalit category as defined by Yadav. He alleged facing extended harassment as a senior IPS officer during SP rule and accused the former chief minister of neglecting Dalit interests.
Lal described his time as SSP Etawah in 1989 under Mulayam Singh Yadav. He claimed that on April 8, 1990, Shivpal Singh Yadav and armed associates stormed the Civil Lines police station to free land-grab accused persons. The station house officer who acted in the case later faced multiple proceedings, Lal said.
He maintained that he resisted pressure and followed legal steps, yet encountered departmental action himself. This episode, he argued, exposed contradictions in the SP approach to PDA groups.
Lal added that he faced repeated targeting during SP governments. He pointed to his book The Etawah Files and urged Yadav to examine it.
He also recalled events after Akhilesh Yadav became chief minister in 2012. Although removed as state DGP, Lal said the government delayed relieving him for a central CRPF role, blocking a chance to become the first Dalit to head that force.
Lal further cited a case against him linked to the death of Khalid Mujahid in the 2007 court blasts matter, calling it politically driven. He also referenced the 1995 Lucknow guest house episode and alleged large-scale demotions of Dalit employees plus negative decisions on institutions named after Dalit figures.
Lal concluded by questioning the SP record on Dalits, backward classes and minorities against its current PDA claims.
