"What has happened with Varun is injustice to him and injustice to the country because misuse of such a serious law is, I think, very dangerous for the country. Let us see what happens now," Maneka told media persons in Bareilly after meeting Varun who was sent to judicial custody on Saturday.

Stating that she will take this battle to the courts and also to the masses, Maneka said, "There is a clamour for votes between the Congress and the Bahujan Samaj Party." She was referring to the Congress government at the Centre and BSP rule in Uttar Pradesh [Images].

Maneka claimed Varun surrendered peacefully and accused the administration of invoking serious charges against him under pressure from higher-ups

"He surrendered at 1:25 pm but the case was filed only at 3 pm (on Saturday). Cases were filed not only against him but also against those people who were not present there. I feel the administration was put under pressure," she said.

The Uttar Pradesh government slapped NSA against Varun for his alleged hate speech in Pilibhit [Images] early this month. CDs of these speeches, which BJP maintains are doctored, were submitted to the Election Commission. The poll panel found Varun guilty and advised BJP not to field him as its candidate.