On Wednesday, the Congress Party president Mallikarjun Kharge wrote to Union Home Minister Amit Shah regarding his intervention to ensure the security of Rahul Gandhi and other participants of the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra. This comes after Gandhi and the party members clashed with the Assam police personnel in Guwahati city.
Why did Kharge write to Shah on Security lapse?
Congress president M Kharge has written a letter to Union Minister Amit Shah concerning the security of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi during his ongoing yatra in Assam. In the letter, he alleged several security lapses during the yatra, including vandalism and inaction of the police. “The Assam police has been found wanting in providing adequate security that Shri. Rahul Gandhi who is entitled to a Z+ security…,” said the letter.
He further stated that the BJP workers have also blocked the convoy of Rahul Gandhi while coming extremely close to him, and creating an extremely unsafe situation. Moreover, he also urged the Home Minister to take immediate steps to ensure the safety of Gandhi and the participants. And also demanded a thorough investigation into the security lapse and inaction of the police.
Clash Between Assam Police and Congress Leaders
The Congress leaders and Assam police quarrelled as the yatra entered Guwahati. Congress claimed that the police blocked the roads leading to Yatra in the city and attempted to push through the barricades, resulting in scuffles and pushing. However, the police stated that the Congress workers deviated from the permitted route and tried to enter the city without permission, which disrupted the public order.
However, the confrontation resulted in minor injuries to several people on both sides. An FIR was lodged against Rahul Gandhi and other Congress leaders by the police on the order of the state government for provocation and creating violence, which has somehow cast a shadow over the event and fueled tension between Congress and the BJP.
FIR against Gandhi and Party leaders
Another FIR, as per the state govt’s order against Gandhi and other party leaders, was confirmed recently. However, it hasn’t been officially released by the Assam Police, as the investigation is still ongoing, and the details of the FIR will be released after charges are officially filed.
However, according to the media reports, the FIR could be filed under the Indian Penal Code (IPC)s Section 151 A (Violent disorder), Section 332 (Assaulting public servant), Section 283 (Obstruction of Public way), Section 147 (Rioting), and other sections like mischiefs, damage to public property, or criminal intimidation. Besides, due to the happening of such events against the party’s campaign, the Congress alleges the BJP-led Assam government.
Accusing the BJP
The Congress alleges that the Assam police and state government failed to ensure the safety of Gandhi and the yatra participants, and did not take action against those who deliberately targeted to disrupt the event while fueling it with religious sentiments, and blaming the party with false allegations and many other things.
Further, they claim that the FIR and the brutality by the police are politically motivated. They accused the BJP of the clash, due to the Hindutva agenda of stoking communal tensions and violence against the yatra as a strategy to silence any opposition to the BJP government.
Current Status
The situation remains tense and uncertain, as the response of Home Minister Shah to Kharge’s letter is still unclear. Also, the outcome of the legal proceedings and the police investigation remains unclear. However, the issue of Gandhi and other party leaders’ security is likely to remain a point of contention and will affect the future relationship between the two parties.
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