New Delhi: The Delhi Police has registered an FIR against senior Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and several party workers following an alleged scuffle with law enforcement personnel during a protest near Jantar Mantar. The demonstration, held on October 7, was organised by the Congress to voice opposition against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the SIR process.
The political atmosphere intensified after videos of the protest went viral on social media, purportedly showing the Congress leaders clashing with the police. As authorities attempted to detain the protesting leaders and move them into a bus, the situation reportedly escalated into physical altercations.
The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) quickly seized upon the viral footage, launching a fierce attack on the opposition leaders. In one of the circulated clips, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra is allegedly seen elbowing a female constable, while another video purportedly shows Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi shoving a police officer.
Sharing the video on social media, BJP spokesperson C.R. Kesavan sharply criticised Rahul Gandhi’s conduct. “Will any decent individual, let alone a Member of Parliament or the Leader of the Opposition, behave in such an inappropriate manner with a woman, that too female police personnel?” Kesavan questioned. He further accused Gandhi of hypocrisy, stating, “On the one hand, Rahul Gandhi has the audacity to lecture about ‘Smash the Patriarchy,’ and on the other, he engages in this kind of indecent behaviour. If he has any sense of shame or guilt left, Rahul Gandhi should apologise immediately.”
According to the FIR, the Delhi Police has pressed charges against the Congress leaders and workers for assaulting police officers, obstructing public servants from performing their duties, and engaging in physical altercations. The police are currently examining multiple mobile phone videos from the site to further investigate the alleged assault on officers, including female constables.
In response to what they termed “misbehaviour” by the Delhi Police towards opposition leaders, the Congress party has instructed its state units to observe a ‘Black Day’ and stage nationwide protests on Thursday. Meanwhile, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has summoned opposition MPs for a luncheon meeting, following which they are expected to march for further demonstrations.