Congress leader's son released after hoardings showing Modi, Adityanath with taped mouths spark row

Jayant Gautam, son of former Congress MP A.P. Gautam, was detained and later released in connection with controversial hoardings placed along a highway in Uttar Pradesh's Haidergarh area. The hoardings feature Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath with tape over their mouths, alongside messages raising issues such as the alleged theft of offerings at the Ram temple in Ayodhya, inflation, unemployment, and paper leak incidents.

The hoardings were installed at several locations between Bara Toll Plaza and the Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya. They also include a photograph of Mr. Jayant Gautam at the bottom. Officials said the matter has drawn widespread attention, with motorists slowing down to read the displays and images being shared widely on social media.

Haidergarh Sub-Divisional Magistrate Rajesh Vishwakarma stated that the hoardings were inappropriate and that an FIR would be registered. According to police, Mr. Gautam was taken into custody, questioned at the Haidergarh police station late at night, and later released. His release followed the intervention of Congress Barabanki MP Tanuj Punia and the district Congress president, Mohsin.

Circle Officer Sangam Kumar said authorities are investigating whether permission was obtained from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) for installing the hoardings and what the purpose behind them was. Superintendent of Police Arpit Vijayvargiya has sought a report on the matter.

The administration acted after BJP workers lodged a complaint objecting to the depiction of the Prime Minister and Chief Minister with tape over their mouths. The hoardings have become a talking point in the area, prompting discussions about the issues they highlight.