NI Bureau
Expressing serious concerns about the security of Rahul Gandhi during the ongoing Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra in Assam, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge wrote a letter to Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday. In the letter, Kharge urged Shah to intervene and ensure the safety of Gandhi and the participants in the yatra. Kharge’s letter highlighted several alleged “attacks” on the yatra by BJP workers since it entered Assam last week. He also pointed out instances where the Assam Police was criticized for failing to provide adequate security to Rahul Gandhi, who is a Z+ protectee.
The concerns escalated after a major clash erupted between Congress workers and Assam Police on Tuesday when security personnel attempted to halt the rally from proceeding on Guwahati roads.
On Tuesday, the Assam Police filed a case against Gandhi and other Congress leaders for allegedly inciting a crowd to attack Guwahati police. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma referred to the tactics used by Congress workers as “not part of Assamese culture.” The state police initially prevented the Gandhi-led yatra from entering the city, leading to protests by angry Congress workers who removed security barricades on the outskirts.
Kharge outlined incidents in Sibsagar district, Lakhimpur, Sonitpur, and Nagaon, citing instances where Assam Police allegedly failed in protecting the yatra. These incidents included the protection of BJP posters instead of ensuring the yatra’s safe passage, defacement of yatra posters by individuals associated with the BJP, and physical attacks on the yatra by BJP workers.
Kharge emphasized that despite ample evidence, none of the culprits had been arrested, and investigations were not initiated in many instances. He called for Shah’s intervention to prevent any untoward incidents that could pose a threat to the safety of Rahul Gandhi and the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra participants as the yatra continues.
