Rahul Gandhi, Congress Leaders Face Legal Action for Assam Violence

Assam Police has filed an FIR against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and other party members for alleged violence during the Bharat Jodo Yatra in Guwahati. The incident involved breaking barricades and clashing with police personnel.

Guwahati, January 23: The Assam police have registered an FIR against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and other leaders for alleged acts of violence during the Bharat Jodo Yatra in the state. The incident occurred on Tuesday when party supporters and leaders broke barricades and clashed with police personnel in their attempt to enter Guwahati.

FIR Details

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma took to social media to inform about the FIR registered against Rahul Gandhi, KC Venugopal, Kanhaiya Kumar, and other individuals. The FIR has been filed under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including 120B (criminal conspiracy), 143 (unlawful assembly), 147 (rioting), 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant), 283 (obstruction in public way), 353 (assault or criminal force to deter public servant from discharging his duty), 332 (voluntarily causing hurt to deter public servant from his duty), 333 (voluntarily causing grievous hurt), and 427 (mischief causing damage to the amount of fifty rupees). Additionally, Section 3 of the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act has also been invoked.

Sarma's Earlier Instructions

Earlier in the day, Chief Minister Sarma had directed the Director General of Police (DGP) G P Singh to register a case against Rahul Gandhi for allegedly provoking the crowd to break the barricades. The DGP confirmed that appropriate action is being taken against those involved in unlawful activities.

Rahul Gandhi's Response

In response to the FIR, Rahul Gandhi stated that the chief minister's action reflects fear and a sense of insecurity. He asserted that the people of Assam are standing up against the ruling party, which is why they are resorting to such measures. Gandhi also highlighted the fact that while BJP president J P Nadda was allowed to take the same route earlier, Congress was not permitted.

Barricades and Scuffle

The barricades were erected along a highway to prevent Congress leaders and supporters from entering the main thoroughfares of Guwahati. As Congress supporters removed the barricades, a scuffle with the police personnel ensued, resulting in injuries to state Congress president Bhupen Borah and leader of the opposition in the state assembly Debabrata Saikia.

Gandhi's Address to Supporters

Addressing the public from atop a bus, Rahul Gandhi emphasized that they have broken barricades but will not break the law. He alleged that while BJP president J P Nadda was allowed to take the same route earlier, Congress was not permitted. Gandhi encouraged his workers and supporters, referring to them as "babbar sher" (lion), and asserted that they should not be perceived as weak.

Chief Minister's Response

In response to the allegations, Chief Minister Sarma stated that evidence is emerging suggesting that Rahul Gandhi and senior leader Jitendra Singh instigated the mob to harm Assam police personnel. He emphasized that the police personnel are public servants and do not belong to any royal family. Sarma assured that the law will eventually catch up with those responsible for the violence.

The incident has escalated tensions between the Congress party and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Assam. The FIR against Rahul Gandhi and other leaders has further intensified the political atmosphere in the state.