Kashmiri Youth Allegedly Assaulted at INDIA Bloc Protest Questions Congress Over EVM Criticism

Faheem Nazir Shah, a Kashmiri youth who alleges that he was assaulted during a protest by Congress leaders in Connaught Place, New Delhi, has questioned the party’s criticism of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), pointing to its electoral victories in 2004 and 2009.

Shah argued that Congress had no reason to blame Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Election Commission of India or EVMs for its electoral setbacks, citing the party’s past victories in elections conducted using the machines.

“You (Congress) are the one who introduced EVMs in 1989; Congress did it; Rajiv Gandhi introduced the EVM,” he said.

“Elections were held across India through EVMs in 2004, and you won by a huge margin. In 2009, elections were again held through EVMs, and you won by a huge margin,” Shah added.

He alleged that the party began raising questions about EVMs and accusing Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar of favouring the BJP after Narendra Modi started winning elections in 2014.

Shah also spoke about the alleged assault, which took place on Thursday, saying he sustained injuries to his eye and arm. He thanked Delhi Police, including the Connaught Place police station’s Station House Officer and his team, for registering his complaint and taking timely action.

According to Shah, he had gone to the protest site carrying a poster expressing support for Prime Minister Modi and demanding an apology from Rahul Gandhi. The poster also criticised allegations of “vote chori” involving EVMs and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

“My poster read, ‘I am a fan of the world’s biggest Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi. Rahul Gandhi Prime Minister se maafi mango!’” Shah said, explaining the message he had displayed.

However, protesters alleged that Shah had verbally abused Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha.

A video of the incident circulating on social media shows Shah being surrounded, pushed, dragged and repeatedly hit by people in the crowd. He has alleged that he was attacked after raising slogans in support of the Prime Minister.

The incident triggered a political backlash, with BJP leaders condemning the alleged assault. BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari shared the video on social media and accused Congress workers of displaying an “anarchist mindset”.