BSP workers abuse, traumatise Dayashankar’s 12-year-old daughter
LUCKNOW: “Nasim uncle, mujhe batayein kahan aana hai aapke paas pesh hone ke liye (Naseem uncle, tell me where I have to present myself),” asked the traumatised minor daughter of expelled BJP functionary Dayashankar Singh. The 12-year-old was addressing BSP member Naseemuddin Siddiqui while her mother looked on.On the day BSP workers laid siege to Lucknow, the family of the man they were targeting was holed up at an undisclosed location out of fear. BSP workers were protesting against the foul language used by Dayashankar about Mayawati. But some of their own slogans directly targeting his daughter and family left a deep scar on the family’s psyche. Dayashanker’s wife and minor kids, especially his daughter, a class 7 student at a prestigious school, said they were pained and anguished by reactions against them on social media and TV.
Dayashanker’s wife Swati, a former lecturer at Lucknow University, said BSP protesters have been using “highly derogatory” words against them. “What crime has my daughter committed that BSP workers are abusing us,” asked Swati. “If the same words can hurt Mayawatiji, why will they not hurt us, particularly my daughter. She has gone through acute mental trauma after she heard the nasty words inflicted on her,” said Swati, who also has a son. The family, she said, has been getting threats and is on the move to escape any untoward incident.”If anything happens to us, the BSP leadership will be responsible for it,” said the wife of the leader who has gone underground after being sacked from the party. “The law will take its course on what my husband said… but he should not be punished four times for one crime,” said Swati.
Sitting beside her mother, the 12-year-old girl broke down again, watching a news clip. “Isn’t it a crime when somebody in full public view asks for a minor girl,” she said. “She was taken to the doctor and might have to be hospitalised if she fails to recover from this trauma,” said Swati.