NEW DELHI: Leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Friday alleged that Delhi Police was refusing to register an FIR over the alleged assault on student protesters, claiming that two young women, Athira from Kerala and Ritu from Rajasthan, were among those beaten by the police.In a post on X, the Congress leader said he had spoken to Kerala home minister Ramesh Chennithala and Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) president Govind Singh Dotasra over the incident.He added that a Zero FIR had already been registered in Kerala and said the Congress would pursue legal action against the officers concerned.“Two young women, Athira from Kerala and Ritu from Rajasthan, along with many others, were beaten by Delhi Police. I have spoken to Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala and Rajasthan PCC President Govind Singh Dotasra. A Zero FIR has already been registered in Kerala. We will pursue every legal route against the officers responsible, in Kerala, in Rajasthan and in the courts,” Rahul wrote.“Brutality by Amit Shah’s Delhi Police will not go unchecked,” he added.
Rahul invokes Dharasana Satyagraha
Referring to the 1930 Dharasana Satyagraha, the Raebareli MP recalled how Sarojini Naidu had led unarmed satyagrahis into police lathis without retaliating.“Police can break bones. They cannot break a satyagraha,” he said.Former Congress president also described India’s youth, particularly young women, as fearless, determined and united in their efforts to defend democracy, adding that he stood with them.“India’s youth, especially young women, are fearless, determined and united. They are standing up for our democracy, and I stand with them,” he wrote.Earlier on Wednesday, Rahul had accused Delhi Police of assaulting student protesters and warned the Centre against suppressing their voices amid demonstrations against the revision of electoral rolls.Addressing protesters in Delhi, he said the demonstration represented a collective voice that transcended religion, caste and gender. He urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah not to stand against the protesters.“As I said in my press conference, this is India. Amit Shah ji, take a good look at this. There is no Hindu here, no Muslim, no one of any specific caste; there is no woman, no man. There is one voice, one protest. It is the voice of India, and you are standing against this voice—the Prime Minister is standing against this voice. I suggest to you: do not stand against this voice. No one can stand against this voice,” Rahul had said.He also urged student protesters to document alleged police misconduct, saying the evidence would be used to seek accountability.
Police detain activists ahead of Tiranga rally
Meanwhile, Delhi Police detained Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) leader Abhijeet Dipke and All India Students’ Association (AISA) chief Neha Bohra on Friday as they were heading to Connaught Place for the proposed ‘Lehra Do Tiranga’ protest.Dipke was detained while leaving his residence in Jhandewalan, while Bohra was picked up in Mandi House.Police informed Dipke that he was being placed under preventive detention, citing restrictions under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) in the Connaught Place area. He was also served notices referring to the restrictions and a previous undertaking to maintain public peace.
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Police had warned that the proposed rally could violate the restrictions if held without permission from the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC).Dipke was told that waving the national flag was not unlawful, but holding an unpermitted march and gathering a crowd could invite legal action.The detentions came amid heightened security arrangements in the national capital ahead of the proposed protest. Delhi Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar had earlier reviewed security arrangements with senior officers, while traffic police issued an advisory warning of possible disruption around Connaught Place.