Lucknow- Chandrashekhar Azad, the emerging leader from the Dalit community who heads Bhim Army and its political wing ASP (Azad Samaj Party), has been granted Y+ Category security by the administration. The security cover was provided after the party cited a security threat to him. Azad is all set to contest Lok Sabha elections from Nagina constituency which falls under the Bijnore district of Uttar Pradesh.

Speaking to The Mooknayak, Neeraj Kumar Jadaun, Superintendent of Police, Bijnore, said that he has not received any official communication regarding the Y + level security granted to the leader.

Sunil Chitod, State President of Azad Samaj Party in Uttar Pradesh, confirmed to The Mooknayak that Azad has been provided with the high level security cover but was reticent to reveal further.

Security cover for Chandrashekhar Azad has been a long-standing demand of Bhim Army, but it increased after the leader was attacked by some armed assailants near Deoband of Saharanpur in Uttar Pradesh last year in June. Azad managed to escape any major injury as the bullets grazed his waist.

The alleged attackers were arrested from Ambala of Haryana district after a joint operation by Haryana and Uttar Pradesh police.

Days after the attack, Brijesh Pathak, the Deputy Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, had said in a statement given to the media that Azad would be granted security cover by the state government. However, Bhim Army Chief was not provided the cover months after the incident, and he was protected by a posse of people from his own party.

Incidentally, Azad had also demanded Y+ security cover for the family of Hathras rape victim in 2020.

A few days back, Akash Anand, National Coordinator of BSP, was provided with Y-category security, leading to speculation that this was the result of quid-pro-quo between the Bahujan Samaj Party and Bharatiya Janata Party, the ruling party, for supporting the Rajya Sabha candidate of the latter by BSP.

The speculations were strengthened after Y-level security cover was provided to SP MLAs Abhay Singh and Manoj Pandey after they cross-voted for BJP Rajya Sabha candidates.

However, the party members told The Mooknayak that Anand received security because he was the National Coordinator of a national party.

Y+ Security cover is the fourth security level, and the cover comprises an 11-member team and may also include 1-2 NSG commandos, besides the police personnel. SPG level security is the highest level security cover in India provided to the Prime Minister, former Prime Minister, etc.

The center provides security cover to people whose lives are threatened due to their work or popularity.

Besides politicians, several celebrities have also been provided with Y and Z security covers. Filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri, Actress Kangana Ranaut, News Personality Sudhir Chowdhary have also been granted the security cover.