In a recent development, a police case has been filed against Rahul Gandhi, former Congress president, and other Congress leaders in Assam. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced the filing of the case, citing “wanton acts of violence” during Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra in the BJP-ruled state. The Chief Minister accused Gandhi of provoking the crowd, leading to a criminal case against him. This incident is part of an ongoing political spat between the BJP and Congress, intensifying today with the police case.
With reference to wanton acts of violence, provocation , damage to public property and assault on police personnel today by Cong members , a FIR has been registered against Rahul Gandhi, KC Venugopal , Kanhaiya Kumar and other individuals under section…
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) January 23, 2024
Amidst the controversy, the Assam Police has also filed a First Information Report (FIR) against Congress leaders KC Venugopal and Kanhaiya Kumar. The conflict arose as Rahul Gandhi’s march reentered Assam from Meghalaya. The yatra faced obstacles as it was denied permission to enter Guwahati’s thoroughfares, redirecting the route to the national highway, sparking protests by Congress workers. The Assam government used video footage of the protest as evidence for registering the police case against Gandhi and other leaders.
These are not part of Assamese culture. We are a peaceful state. Such “naxalite tactics” are completely alien to our culture.
I have instructed @DGPAssamPolice to register a case against your leader @RahulGandhi for provoking the crowd & use the footage you have posted on your… https://t.co/G84Qhjpd8h— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) January 23, 2024
Taking to social media, Chief Minister Sarma instructed the Assam Police to register the case against Rahul Gandhi, accusing him of provoking the crowd and violating agreed-upon guidelines. He emphasized the impact of the unruly behavior on traffic in Guwahati. In response, Rahul Gandhi dismissed the case, stating, “They are filing a case because there is fear in their mind.”
Rahul Gandhi alleged that the BJP was attempting to disrupt the yatra, drawing parallels with a previous experience. He emphasized that the disruption inadvertently benefits the Congress, making the yatra a focal point in Assam’s political landscape. Gandhi also claimed interference by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, alleging that he was “not allowed” to interact with students in Meghalaya.
The Congress has consistently accused the Assam state government of deliberately obstructing the yatra, which is scheduled to be in Assam until Thursday. The yatra, covering a 6,713-km-long route, began on January 14 from Manipur and is set to conclude on March 20 in Mumbai. The political duel between Rahul Gandhi and Himanta Biswa Sarma has intensified, with both leaders engaging in a war of words on social media and during media interactions.
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