Congress has lodged a formal complaint regarding assassination threats directed at Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi by leaders of the BJP and NDA, calling for prompt action to be taken.
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On Wednesday, the Congress party lodged a police complaint regarding the recent remarks made by leaders of the ruling NDA that were directed at Rahul Gandhi. The party contended that these statements were intended to endanger the safety and security of the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and to incite unrest across the nation, particularly in light of the upcoming elections in Jammu and Kashmir and Haryana. In the complaint, which was presented to the Station House Officer of the Tughlaq Road police station by AICC treasurer and general secretary Ajay Maken, the Congress referenced the recent comments made by BJP leaders Tarvinder Singh Marwah, Ravneet Singh Bittu, and Raghuraj Singh, along with remarks from Shiv Sena MLA Sanjay Gaikwad.
Targeting Rahul Gandhi : Maken sought registration of FIRs against the leaders.
Maken has initiated the process of registering FIRs against various leaders. In a statement to the media following the submission of the complaint, Maken remarked that the sacrifices made by the late Indira Gandhi and late Rajiv Gandhi for the nation are well-known. He expressed concern over the threats being issued despite their legacy. He emphasized that the political climate in India should not descend to such depths. He pointed out that numerous leaders from the BJP have made similar statements, yet the party has failed to take any corrective measures. Maken noted that Rahul Gandhi advocates for the rights of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes, tribal communities, and minorities, which is why his words are met with disapproval from BJP members. This, he asserted, is the underlying reason for the threats directed at him. Maken concluded by affirming that the Congress party will not be intimidated or subdued.
In the police report, Maken stated, “On September 11, during a BJP event, Marwah openly threatened the life of Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, asserting that ‘Rahul Gandhi, you better behave, or you will face the same fate as your grandmother did.'” The complaint also referenced Sena MLA Gaikwad’s declaration of a reward of Rs 11 lakh for anyone who would sever the tongue of the Leader of Opposition. Additionally, it included remarks from Minister of State for Railways Ravneet Bittu, who labeled the Leader of Opposition as the “number one terrorist in the country.”
The complaint asserts that Bittu intentionally made the statement to incite public animosity and outrage towards Mr. Gandhi, with the objective of provoking violence and disrupting public order. This statement received extensive coverage on television and social media platforms. It referenced comments made by Uttar Pradesh government minister Raghuraj Singh, who labeled Gandhi as the “number one terrorist of India.” The complaint further noted that the statements and threats issued by various leaders of the BJP and its allies, which called for harm against Rahul Gandhi and labeled the Leader of the Opposition as a terrorist, reflect a deep-seated animosity from the BJP/NDA coalition towards Gandhi. Such declarations are purportedly intended to instigate unrest among the populace, thereby inciting riots and undermining public peace through these inflammatory remarks.
The Congress party has asserted that Gandhi has consistently highlighted the concerns of marginalized groups, including women, youth, Dalits, and other underprivileged sections of society, while criticizing the BJP for its failure to address these public-oriented issues. This stance, however, has not been well received by the BJP and its allies, leading the Congress to claim that individuals associated with these parties have been tasked with making derogatory remarks about the Leader of Opposition in India. Furthermore, the complaint states that the actions of BJP leaders and their allies aim to endanger the safety and security of the Leader of Opposition and to disrupt public order across the nation, particularly in light of the upcoming elections in Jammu & Kashmir and Haryana.
The leaders have not only issued statements but have also actively engaged, through their associates, in disseminating these messages to the public via social media and other channels. This effort appears to be a calculated attempt to provoke public hostility or outrage against Gandhi and his supporters or members of the Congress, based on false, misleading, and hate-driven assertions. Therefore, the party asserts that it is crucial to file a First Information Report (FIR) under the applicable sections of the BNS, 2023, without delay. Furthermore, it is noted that labeling the Leader of the Opposition in India as a ‘terrorist’ or ‘number one terrorist’ not only discredits the office he occupies but also represents a deliberate effort to hinder Rahul Gandhi in fulfilling his public responsibilities. The party contends that these intentional acts of criminal intimidation and public mischief are orchestrated by leaders of the BJP/NDA to foster animosity, disrupt peace, and incite aggression and hatred against Rahul Gandhi, the Congress, and its leaders, as directed by senior officials of the BJP/NDA.
In light of these circumstances, the individuals mentioned, all of whom are linked by a common threat to the ruling BJP, have allegedly conspired to execute these actions with known and unknown associates. Consequently, I urge you to promptly register an FIR, including sections 351, 352, 353, and 61 of the BNS, against the aforementioned individuals and their associates, as stated in Maken’s complaint.
On Tuesday, even Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge had written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the threats to Rahul Gandhi and urged him to rein in his leaders.He also dubbed the assasination threats to Rahul Gandhi as very dangerous trend.
