Hathras: Rahul Gandhi pushed by cop, falls during confrontation

NH Bureau Thursday, 01 October 2020 06:32:16 PM

Hathras: Rahul Gandhi pushed by cop, falls during confrontation (Image: NDTV.com)

Noida : Former Congress President Rahul Gandhi was pushed by a cop and he fell onto the ground in a tussle after he and his sister Priyanka Gandhi, along with other party workers, were stopped on the Delhi-Noida highway. They were marching towards Hathras to meet the family of gangrape victim who died in Delhi on Tuesday.

Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi were detained for violating the ban on large gatherings. "I am standing here peacefully. I will go alone then. I will walk alone from here to Hathras," Rahul Gandhi told the police.

As seen in the visuals on several news channels, Rahul Gandhi was pushed by a cop as he resists the police. In the push, he fells onto the ground and Congress workers help him to stand back.

Priyanka Gandhi alleged that she was also pushed and there were attempts to throw her to the ground.

"Why are you arresting me? What are the grounds for the arrest? What law am I violating," Rahul Gandhi said in a heated exchange with policemen, who said that they were charging him with "Section 188" - a law on defying official orders.

Congress leader Randeep Surjewala said: "The Gandhis are preparing to march alone. What is Ajay Singh Bisht, alias Yogi Adityanath (Chief Minister) afraid of?"

Ahead of the Congress leaders' planned visit, the UP administration this morning enforced a ban on large gatherings and put up barricades at the borders citing the coronavirus. Roads to Hathras were also blocked.

Other political parties condemned the incident and came out in support of the Gandhis.

"Reckless behavior of UP police towards Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is extremely condemnable. It is reprehensible for those who are supposed to uphold the law to trample upon democratic values in such a manner," tweeted NCP leader Sharad Pawar.

RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav wrote: "It is the duty and democratic right of the Opposition parties to protest against every indiscriminate misuse of power by the oppressive regime! Voice and will of the people cannot be silenced or suppressed! We unequivocally condemn the arrest of Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi (sic)."