"Dictator BJP-RSS Openly Resorting to Violence": Kharge Slams BJP Over Parvesh Verma Slapping Row
Mallikarjun Kharge accuses BJP-RSS of resorting to violence following allegations that Delhi Minister Parvesh Verma slapped a youth in Tilak Nagar.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge launched a fierce attack on the BJP and RSS on Monday, accusing the ruling party of becoming increasingly violent toward citizens. The opposition leader's remarks follow a heated controversy involving Delhi PWD Minister Parvesh Verma, who is alleged to have slapped a youth during a road inspection in Tilak Nagar.
Kharge Accuses BJP of Using Violence to Silence Questions
In a scathing post on X, Kharge claimed that the BJP has become so unsettled by public scrutiny that it has moved beyond verbal insults to physical aggression. He stated that while the party previously relied on labels like "angry uncle" or "protest-monger," it is now openly resorting to direct violence against the people.
"ED-CBI on the Opposition, Slaps, Batons, and Bullets on the People!" Kharge wrote, alleging that the current political climate is defined by the suppression of voices. He further criticized the government's handling of various protests, citing incidents of baton charges at Jantar Mantar and the tragic loss of lives during the farmers' movement.
Kharge argued that when power reaches a peak of arrogance, the humiliation of the public becomes a habit. He accused the BJP-RSS of not just crushing democracy through policy, but by directly assaulting citizens with sticks and batons.
The Incident in Tilak Nagar: Allegations of Assault
The controversy stems from an incident involving Sahib Singh, a youth who was reportedly livestreaming a road inspection in the Tilak Nagar Assembly constituency. According to Mankan Deep Singh Bammi, the advocate representing Singh, the Minister allegedly assaulted the youth after being questioned about corruption in road construction.
The details of the alleged confrontation include:
- The Trigger: Singh was questioning the poor condition of a stretch of the Outer Ring Road while livestreaming the footage.
- The Assault: Bammi alleged that Parvesh Verma, frustrated by the inability to provide straight answers, approached Singh and slapped him.
- Physical Altercation: The advocate further claimed that a group of 14 to 15 people present with the Minister began pushing and kicking Singh.
Sahib Singh himself described the moment of the encounter, claiming that the Minister could not handle the exposure of the road's dilapidated state. "Parvesh Verma had no idea he would be exposed... the road crumbled in his hand like a 'papad'... He snatched my phone, twisted my arm, and slapped me," Singh alleged.
Police Response and AAP Protests
The victim has raised concerns regarding the police response, alleging that despite contacting the PCR at Vikas Puri police station, an FIR was not immediately registered. The advocate stated that after waiting for over an hour, the SHO eventually filed a 1.5-page complaint, but formal legal action against the Minister had not been initiated.
The incident has sparked significant political unrest in the capital. Leaders from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) staged protests on Sunday, demanding an immediate FIR against Verma. During these demonstrations, Delhi Police detained several high-profile figures, including AAP Delhi President Saurabh Bharadwaj and MLA Kuldeep Kumar.