BJP Mahila Morcha Protests Against Rahul Gandhi Over Alleged Misconduct With Woman Police Officer

Delhi BJP Mahila Morcha workers staged a protest near the Congress headquarters on Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Marg on Thursday, accusing Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi of allegedly misbehaving with a woman police officer during an INDIA bloc protest in the national capital.

Carrying BJP flags, banners and placards, the protesters raised slogans against Rahul Gandhi and Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and demanded a public apology. The protesters said the controversy concerned not only political differences but also the dignity of women and the treatment of police personnel.

Tensions escalated when some Mahila Morcha workers allegedly crossed the route designated by police and attempted to march towards Indira Bhawan. Police personnel were deployed to stop them from proceeding further, while some protesters sat on the road as part of the demonstration.

The BJP protest followed clashes during INDIA bloc demonstrations in Delhi on October 6 and 7 against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Opposition leaders and MPs had demanded the CEC’s resignation and raised objections to the revision exercise.

During the October 7 demonstration, police erected barricades to prevent protesters from moving forward. Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra were among the opposition leaders detained, along with around 90-91 other leaders and MPs.

Videos of the confrontation subsequently circulated on social media. The BJP alleged that one video showed Rahul Gandhi pushing and touching a woman police officer in an inappropriate manner while attempting to cross the barricades. BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari also shared the footage and made similar allegations.

The BJP further accused Priyanka Gandhi Vadra of elbowing and punching a woman police officer and alleged that some Congress workers assaulted police personnel during the confrontation.

Congress has strongly rejected the allegations, maintaining that Rahul Gandhi was attempting to protect women Congress workers from police action. The party has also alleged that Delhi Police used force against protesters.

Meanwhile, Delhi Police has registered an FIR against Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and others in connection with the protest. The case includes provisions relating to obstruction of government officials and alleged assault on police personnel. Police are examining mobile-phone recordings and other video footage as part of the investigation.