Rahul Gandhi’s Police Station Dharna Draws BJP Attack Over Vande Mataram Row

The BJP on Friday accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of staging a dharna outside the Parliament Street police station to divert attention from the party’s position on the Vande Mataram issue, after the Congress leader sought an FIR over pellet injuries allegedly suffered by 19-year-old Sahil Lochab during the CJP-led July 20 protest.

Gandhi, accompanied by Lochab, sat on a dharna at the police station and demanded registration of an FIR over the teenager’s injuries. He said “brutality” against a peaceful protest was a “serious crime”. Gandhi also claimed that police officers told him an FIR could not be registered because “there are orders from the top”.

The BJP questioned Gandhi’s decision to protest while the Supreme Court has already taken cognisance of the July 20 incident and constituted a five-member high-powered committee to examine the matter. According to PTI, Union Health Minister J P Nadda described the protest as an expression of the Congress’ “political frustration” and Gandhi’s “hunger for footage”.

"Today, the entire nation has once again witnessed Rahul Gandhi's cheap and attention-diverting politics, which he displayed outside the Parliament Street police station.

"Rahul Gandhi's protest is neither for students nor for justice; it is a symbol of the Congress party's political frustration and Rahul Gandhi's hunger for footage," Nadda told reporters here.

Nadda alleged that Gandhi’s protest was intended to shift attention from the ongoing political row over Vande Mataram, saying the Congress was facing criticism over its stand on the national song.

"To hide the Congress' anti-national face and divert attention from embarrassment, Rahul Gandhi hastily staged this drama," he said.

He also questioned Gandhi’s decision to protest outside a police station while the Supreme Court was examining the July 20 incident.

"When the country's highest court is investigating the matter, what does Rahul Gandhi want to prove by sitting outside a police station in front of cameras? Has the Leader of Opposition lost faith in the judiciary?" Nadda said.

"This reflects his stubbornness and the frustration of the Congress," Nadda said, alleging that Gandhi’s objective was not to seek justice or an investigation but to create a ruckus and challenge law and order.

Nadda said the country was governed by the Constitution, law and judicial procedures, and not by "one family's stubbornness" or "love for cameras".

"People are seeking answers from the Congress and the Congress will have to answer," Nadda said.

He also accused the Congress of avoiding parliamentary debate despite Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s call to the opposition party to participate in discussions in Parliament.

Senior BJP leader and MP Ravi Shankar Prasad also accused Gandhi of indulging in "anarchic politics" and alleged that he had no respect for law and order, PTI reported.

Addressing a press conference here, Prasad said Gandhi’s protest was an attempt to divert attention after the Congress realised that its position on Vande Mataram was wrong.

"I have my doubts and allegations that the Congress is trapped over its stand on Vande Mataram and is trying to divert attention," he told reporters.

Prasad also claimed that Gandhi staged the dharna without permission or prior information and questioned the Congress’ decision to protest when an investigation into the July 20 incident was already underway.

"Congress has become a party driven by Rahul Gandhi's appeasement politics," Prasad alleged.