'Two Laws Cannot Run': Rajasthan Congress Storms Jaipur Police HQ Over Ritu Barala Assault
Rajasthan Congress leaders demand a Zero FIR after NSUI Secretary Ritu Barala was allegedly assaulted by Delhi Police during a protest.
The political atmosphere in Rajasthan has reached a boiling point as Congress leaders launched a massive protest at the Jaipur Police Commissionerate. The outcry follows the alleged assault on Ritu Barala, the National Secretary of the NSUI, who was reportedly manhandled by female police personnel during a demonstration in New Delhi. The party is now demanding the immediate registration of a 'Zero FIR' to ensure legal action against the offenders.
"Justice for Rajasthan's Daughter"
Tika Ram Jully, the Leader of Opposition in the Rajasthan Assembly, spearheaded the call for public mobilization. Traveling from Alwar to Jaipur, Jully issued a passionate appeal via X (formerly Twitter), urging citizens to gather in large numbers at the Police Commissionerate to support Barala.
"Two laws cannot run in the country! Neither will the Constitution bow before the arrogance of power of the BJP, nor will the voice of justice be suppressed. Until justice is served, we will neither bow, nor stop, nor tolerate injustice!" Jully declared.
Allegations of Administrative Avoidance
The protest has been marked by claims of systemic avoidance by high-ranking officials. Congress leader Pratap Singh Khachariyawas alleged that party representatives had been stationed at the Commissionerate since the previous night, only to find the offices empty of senior leadership.
Khachariyawas revealed that while officials had recorded a complaint when leaders like Rafiq Khan and Amin visited the police station, they flatly refused to register a Zero FIR. He criticized the absence of the Police Commissioner and other senior officials, stating that the party had been left waiting without any engagement from the Chief Minister or his ministers.
A "Shameful" State of Affairs
The gravity of the situation was highlighted by the presence of heavyweights, including former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and State Congress President Govind Singh Dotasra, who led the delegation to the Commissionerate.
Adding to the criticism, Congress leader Dharmendra Singh Rathore questioned why senior party leadership—including a former Chief Minister—was forced to take to the streets simply to get an FIR registered. He described the situation as "shameful" for the current government and reiterated that the right to file an FIR is a legal guarantee granted by the Constitution.
The Root of the Conflict
The controversy stems from a "vote theft" demonstration held in New Delhi. During the protest, which demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, NSUI activists clashed with the police. It was during this encounter that Ritu Barala, a student at Rajasthan University, was allegedly subjected to a violent assault by female Delhi Police personnel.
The Rajasthan Congress has now linked this incident to a broader national struggle, with Khachariyawas asserting that the party stands in solidarity with Rahul Gandhi and will continue to fight against police brutality and the perceived destruction of law and order across the nation.