Rahul Gandhi Slams Delhi Police Over Mistreatment of Women
Rahul Gandhi accuses Delhi Police of misbehaving with women protesters and journalists, demanding CCTV footage from Saket police station.
Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, has launched a scathing attack on the Delhi Police, alleging widespread mistreatment of women protesters and female journalists during recent incidents in the national capital. The Congress leader has demanded immediate accountability from the authorities, claiming a systematic pattern of silencing women who dare to question the status quo.
Allegations of Misbehaviour and Harassment
In a strongly worded social media post, Rahul Gandhi detailed several distressing incidents occurring at Jantar Mantar. He alleged that during recent detentions, female protesters faced misbehaviour from male police personnel. The Congress leader further extended these claims to the media, stating that female journalists were subjected to harassment, including having their cameras snatched and being physically dragged by officers.
Adding to the gravity of his claims, Gandhi noted that despite these incidents, no First Information Report (FIR) was registered following a journalist's complaint. He suggested that the very institutions designed to protect citizens are instead being used to suppress them.
The Saket Police Station Controversy
The opposition leader linked the current unrest to a previous incident involving two women, Shaheen and Nafisa. He recalled their accounts of experiencing violence and mistreatment while inside the Saket police station.
"Think about it—inside the station, the very place where women go to file complaints,"
Gandhi remarked, highlighting the irony of the situation. He argued that the conduct of the police raises fundamental questions about how women are treated when they approach law enforcement for help.
Demands for Transparency and Justice
To ensure accountability, Rahul Gandhi has made several specific demands to the administration:
- Public Release of Footage: He has called for the complete CCTV footage from the Saket police station to be made available to the public.
- Disciplinary Action: He demanded immediate action against any police personnel found guilty of wrongdoing.
- Justice for Victims: He sought justice for Shaheen, Nafisa, and all others who have allegedly faced violence or rude treatment by the force.
Directly addressing the Union Home Minister, Gandhi questioned the underlying motives of the law enforcement agency. "Mr. Amit Shah—why are you and your police so afraid of women?" he asked, while also pointing toward the administrative control over the Delhi Police.
These allegations come at a time of heightened political tension regarding the management of protests in Delhi. While the Congress leader has raised these serious concerns, the claims regarding detentions, misbehaviour, and the non-registration of complaints await official confirmation from the Delhi Police and relevant government records.