Rahul Gandhi Slams Delhi Police Over Misconduct Allegations
Rahul Gandhi questions Amit Shah as Delhi Police face allegations of misconduct with a female journalist and women protesters at Jantar Mantar.
In a scathing attack on the law enforcement agencies in the national capital, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, has accused the Delhi Police of misconduct involving a female journalist at Jantar Mantar. The political leader directly challenged Union Home Minister Amit Shah, demanding accountability for the actions of the force that operates under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
"Amit Shah Ji, Where Are You?"
Taking to the social media platform X, Gandhi expressed outrage over the treatment of media professionals and protesters. He highlighted a situation where a female journalist was allegedly subjected to misbehaviour by a police officer, leaving hundreds of journalists waiting for hours to demand the registration of an FIR.
"Amit Shah ji, where are you? You have to answer for this," Gandhi wrote, emphasizing that the failure to register a complaint is a dereliction of the police's basic duty. He noted that while the police are tasked with protecting citizens, the current situation suggests the opposite is occurring.
Allegations of Violence and Mass Detentions
The controversy at Jantar Mantar escalated on Saturday, with Gandhi alleging that the crackdown went beyond mere crowd control. According to his statements, the incident involved:
- Mass Detentions: Hundreds of individuals were reportedly taken into custody during the demonstrations.
- Misconduct with Women: Serious allegations have surfaced regarding the mistreatment of women protesters.
- Aggression against Media: Gandhi claimed that cameras were snatched and journalists were physically dragged during the chaos.
The Leader of the Opposition pointed out that such incidents are not isolated, citing previous video evidence of police misconduct with women. He expressed deep concern for the safety of students and women across Delhi, stating that they are currently gripped by fear while the very authorities meant to protect them are "raising hands against them."
Protests Erupt Over Electoral Roll Concerns
The unrest at Jantar Mantar coincided with protests led by the All India Students' Association (AISA) against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar. The demonstrations were centered around the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
During the confrontation, several high-profile figures were involved in attempts to breach police barricades, including:
- Neha Bora, President of AISA.
- Prashant Bhushan, Senior Advocate.
- Kapil Sibal, Senior Advocate.
The Delhi Police have since registered at least three FIRs related to the mass protests held on October 2, with cases filed at the Parliament Street and Connaught Place police stations.
Context of the Election Commission Controversy
The protests follow reports regarding internal friction within the Election Commission. It was reported that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had raised objections on at least 14 occasions over a ten-month period regarding electoral rolls, voter registration, and technological systems.
While the Election Commission has rejected claims of "institutional dissent," stating that such queries are part of the standard administrative process, the tension on the streets of Delhi continues to mount as protesters demand transparency and accountability.