Tensions escalated in Guwahati as Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma ordered the police to register a case against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, accusing him of provoking a crowd during the ‘Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra.’ The Yatra, aimed at connecting with the public, faced obstacles on January 23, resulting in clashes between Congress workers and the police.
The incident unfolded as Congress leader Rahul Gandhi attempted to enter Guwahati on January 23, leading to protests from Congress workers who broke barricades and raised slogans. Denied entry into the city limits, Gandhi addressed supporters, claiming that while BJP president J P Nadda took the same route, they were obstructed. He asserted the strength of the Congress workers, referring to them as “babbar sher” (lions).
Social media played a role in the unfolding drama, with Congress youth wing President Srinivas BV alleging that the Assam government was creating hurdles in Rahul Gandhi’s Yatra. In response, Chief Minister Sarma instructed Assam Police to register a case against Rahul Gandhi for allegedly provoking the crowd, citing footage posted on social media as evidence.
The video in question captures Rahul Gandhi stating, “You see, there was a barricade, we have thrown it away,” while another Congress leader, Jitendra Singh, claims victory in breaking the barricade.
In a tweet, Chief Minister Sarma expressed concerns about unruly behavior causing massive traffic jams in Guwahati and criticised what he deemed as “naxalite tactics” incompatible with Assamese culture.
These are not part of Assamese culture. We are a peaceful state. Such “naxalite tactics” are completely alien to our culture.
I have instructed @DGPAssamPolice to register a case against your leader @RahulGandhi for provoking the crowd & use the footage you have posted on your… https://t.co/G84Qhjpd8h— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) January 23, 2024
Further verbal clashes erupted over a video where Rahul Gandhi alleged that the Home Minister of India and the Chief Minister of Assam intervened to prevent him from meeting university students. Chief Minister Sarma countered, pointing out that the university mentioned was in Meghalaya, not in Assam, where Gandhi’s yatra was currently situated.
Sarma wrote on X, “Evidence is emerging as to how Rahul Gandhi and Jitendra Singh instigated the mob to attack Assam Police personnel. Our soldiers are servants of the public, not of any royal family.”
In a video posted by Congress’ official X handle, Gandhi can be seen talking to university students, where he said, “The Home Minister of India called the Chief Minister of Assam and said – Do not allow Rahul Gandhi to meet the university students.”
“Then Himanta Sarma called the university management here and said that Rahul Gandhi cannot meet the students of Assam and North East. That’s why I could not come to meet you at your university,” he added.
Quoting this video, Sarma said, “Kya aadmi hai (what a man Rahul Gandhi is), the function was in Meghalaya, but he is abusing Assam.” He pointed out that the university being mentioned is in Meghalaya, not in Assam.
प्रमाण सामने आ रहे हैं कि किस प्रकार से राहुल गांधी और जितेंद्र सिंह ने भीड़ को असम पुलिस के जवानों को मारने के लिए भड़काया।
हमारे जवान जनता के सेवक हैं, किसी शाही परिवार के नहीं।
निश्चिंत रहिए, क़ानून के हाथ बहुत लंबे होते हैं, आप तक जरूर पहुंचेंगे। pic.twitter.com/MqW1vyo73V
— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) January 23, 2024
The Assam government, under Chief Minister Sarma’s leadership, denied permission for Rahul Gandhi’s Yatra to use the main roads in Guwahati, citing concerns about potential traffic disruptions on a working day. The Yatra, which had a segment in Meghalaya, re-entered Assam but faced roadblocks, leading to clashes and accusations of deliberate obstruction by the Congress party.
The situation remains tense as political clashes between the Assam government and Congress officials continue, with both sides presenting contrasting narratives of the events leading to the disruptions in the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra.
