“Why are you afraid of women?” Rahul Gandhi trains guns on Amit Shah over alleged misconduct by Delhi Police | Today’s news
Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday alleged that women protesters and women “journalists” faced ill-treatment by the Delhi Police during recent incidents in the national capital and demanded accountability from the authorities.
In a post on social media, Rahul Gandhi claimed that several people were detained at Jantar Mantar and alleged that the female protesters had accused the male policemen of misbehavior.
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“What is happening in Delhi right now follows a single pattern: silence every woman who dares to ask questions,” Rahul Gandhi said.
What did the journalist claim?
Accusations of sexual assault against a Delhi Police officer during a protest at Amber Mantar sparked protests outside Parliament Street Police station with journalists, protesters and lawyers demanding action on the complaint.
The allegations were made by a freelance journalist who said she was covering the detention of AISA activist Neha Bora when the incident allegedly occurred. The allegations against the police officer have not been independently verified.
In a video report released by CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke, the journalist alleged that ACP Vivek Bhagat groped and pushed her while she was covering the detention at Jantar Mantar.
“It’s been over three hours since I sat in Parliament Street police station,” she said.
“Cameras stolen from female journalists”
Rahul Gandhi further alleged that women journalists’ cameras were snatched and that some journalists were dragged in during the incident. He also claimed that no FIR was registered on the journalist’s complaint.
The Congress leader linked the allegations to an earlier incident of two women, Shaheen and Nafisa, who he said spoke of alleged violence and ill-treatment at the Saket police station.
“A few weeks ago, Shaheen and Nafisa narrated their experiences of violence and ill-treatment at the Saket police station. Think about it – at the station, the very place where women go to file complaints,” he said.
Rahul Gandhi claimed that the behavior of police personnel in the incidents raised questions about the treatment of women who approach the law enforcement agencies.
“Those who were entrusted with the responsibility of protecting women are now the ones who pose a threat to them,” he said.
Administrative control over the Delhi Police
Rahul Gandhi also questioned the administrative control over the Delhi Police, saying, “And everyone in this country knows to whom the Delhi Police is accountable.” The Congress leader demanded that the complete CCTV footage of Saket police station be made public and called for immediate action against police personnel found responsible for any wrongdoing.
“The entire CCTV footage of Saket police station should be released. Immediate action should be taken against the guilty policemen,” he said.
Rahul also sought justice for Shaheen, Nafisa and others who, according to his post, faced alleged violence or ill-treatment by the Delhi Police.
“Shaheen, Nafisa and all those who faced violence and brutality at the hands of Delhi Police must get justice,” Rahul Gandhi said.
Addressing Union Home Minister Amit Shah, he concluded by asking, “Mr Amit Shah – why are you and your police so afraid of women?”
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The allegations leveled by Rahul Gandhi come amid political criticism over the conduct of the protests and the conduct of police personnel in the national capital. Allegations of detention, alleged misconduct and failure to register complaints would require confirmation from the Delhi Police and other official records.