Politics · India Bureau
Gandhi Questions Minister's Account of Jantar Mantar Protest Violence
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has challenged Union Minister Kiren Rijiju's characterization of injuries sustained during protests at Jantar Mantar, citing video evidence and alleging the use of weapons against demonstrators.
LSN India ·
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday disputed claims made by Union Minister Kiren Rijiju regarding the extent of injuries inflicted during protests at Jantar Mantar, releasing video footage to support his position.
Gandhi posted the minister's comments online, in which Rijiju reportedly stated that no serious injuries were sustained during the demonstration. The Congress leader's counter-assertion suggested that the minister's account did not align with ground realities witnessed by protesters.
According to Gandhi's allegations, demonstrators at the Jantar Mantar venue were subjected to lathis studded with nails during the police response to the protest. The use of such weapons, if confirmed, would represent a significant escalation in force during crowd control operations.
The exchange highlights the ongoing political tension surrounding protest management and police conduct. Gandhi's intervention underscores the opposition's broader criticism of the government's handling of demonstrations and treatment of activists.
The incident adds to mounting concerns about proportionality in law enforcement responses to public gatherings in the national capital.