Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has directed the state Director General of Police (DGP) to register a case against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for allegedly “provoking the crowd” during the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra. The chief minister accused Rahul Gandhi of employing “naxalite tactics alien to Assamese culture.” The Nyay Yatra, led by Rahul Gandhi, re-entered Assam on Tuesday and has faced controversy and clashes with BJP supporters.
In a post on social media platform ‘X,’ Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma responded to a tweet by Youth Congress president Srinivas BV, stating, “I have instructed @DGPAssamPolice to register a case against your leader @RahulGandhi for provoking the crowd.” He mentioned that footage posted by Srinivas would be used as evidence for the case. Sarma criticized the alleged unruly behavior during the Nyay Yatra, emphasizing that such actions are not part of Assamese culture, known for its peaceful nature.
These are not part of Assamese culture. We are a peaceful state. Such “naxalite tactics” are completely alien to our culture.
I have instructed @DGPAssamPolice to register a case against your leader @RahulGandhi for provoking the crowd & use the footage you have posted on your… https://t.co/G84Qhjpd8h— Himanta Biswa Sarma (Modi Ka Parivar) (@himantabiswa) January 23, 2024
Referring to the disruption caused by the Nyay Yatra in Guwahati, Chief Minister Sarma accused Rahul Gandhi of violating agreed guidelines, resulting in a massive traffic jam in the city.
Rahul Gandhi, who is leading the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, claimed on Tuesday that he was not allowed to interact with students of a private university in Meghalaya at the “instructions” of the Union Home minister. He alleged that the directive was conveyed by the Union minister through the Assam chief minister’s office.
The Nyay Yatra, a Congress initiative, is covering a route from Manipur to Mumbai. It entered Assam from Meghalaya on Tuesday for the second and final leg of its travel through the state, scheduled to continue until January 25.
In response to the incidents during the Nyay Yatra, the leader of the opposition in the Assam legislative assembly, Debabrata Saikia, urged Governor Gulab Chand Kataria to order a judicial probe into the physical assault on state Congress president Bhupen Bora and the alleged unruly behavior of BJP cadres. During the yatra on Sunday, supporters of the ruling BJP forcefully stopped the vehicle carrying senior AICC leader Jairam Ramesh, verbally abused him, and tore stickers on his car. A clash also occurred between Assam Police and Congress workers in Guwahati as police attempted to stop the yatra.
The political tension in Assam continues to escalate as the Congress and the BJP clash over the Nyay Yatra, with both parties accusing each other of violating norms and resorting to disruptive tactics. The situation remains contentious, and the request for a judicial probe underscores the seriousness of the confrontations during the political event.
