Imphal, Sept 25: The Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) has submitted a filed a complaint to the Officer-in-Charge of the City Police Station in Imphal West District, accusing BJP leaders and their allies of issuing threats against Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi.
The complaint describes several incidents where prominent BJP figures and its allies allegedly made threats of violence and assassination against Gandhi, raising concerns about his safety and public tranquility.
According to the MPCC, on September 11, 2024, BJP leader Tarvinder Singh Marwah allegedly threatened Gandhi at a party event, stating, “Behave, or you might meet the same fate as your grandmother,” referring to the assassination of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. Another incident on September 16, 2024, involved Sanjay Gaikwad, an MLA from the Shinde Sena (a BJP ally in Maharashtra), who reportedly offered ₹11 lakhs for anyone who would “cut off Gandhi’s tongue.”
The complaint also notes statements by Union Minister of State for Railways Ravneet Bittu, who on September 15, 2024, labeled Gandhi as the “number one terrorist of the country,” a comment that circulated widely on social media and TV. Additionally, BJP leader and Uttar Pradesh Minister Raghuraj Singh referred to Gandhi as “India’s number one terrorist” on September 16, 2024.
The MPCC argues that these statements are part of a larger scheme to incite public unrest and violence against Gandhi and the Indian National Congress. They claim these remarks are intended to obstruct Gandhi’s role as Leader of the Opposition, particularly his advocacy for marginalized groups like women, youth, and Dalits.
The MPCC has requested that the police file an FIR against Marwah, Gaikwad, Bittu, Singh, and their associates under the relevant sections of the BNS, 2023, for criminal intimidation, conspiracy, and incitement to hatred. They urge law enforcement to take immediate action to prevent any potential violence and maintain public order, especially during the ongoing elections in Jammu & Kashmir and Haryana.
