In his letter to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Congress leader KC Venugopal said that the Bharat Jodo Yatra’s security had been compromised several times since it entered Delhi on Saturday.
The Delhi Police has “completely failed in controlling the surging crowd and maintaining a perimeter around Rahul Gandhi, who is assigned Z+ security”, the letter said.
The Delhi Police comes under the Union Home Ministry.
Such is the situation on the grounds that party workers and those walking the Yatra are now securing the Congress scion’s perimeter, as the Delhi Police stood as mute spectators, the letter claimed, adding that the Intelligence Bureau has been questioning people walking the Yatra.
Every Indian has the right to move throughout the country, unhindered, the letter said.
“Bharat Jodo Yatra is a padyatra to bring peace and harmony to the country. The government should not indulge in vindictive politics and ensure the safety and security of the Congress leaders,” it added.
The letter also mentioned the assassinations of Congress leaders and former prime ministers, including Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi, as it sought better security.
“Moving forward, the Bharat Jodo Yatra is slated to enter the sensitive state of Punjab and J&K in the next phase starting from January 3, 2023. In this regard, I request you to take immediate steps to ensure the safety and security of Rahul Gandhi, a Z+ protectee, and of all the Bharat Yatris and leaders joining the Bharat Jodo Yatra,” it said.
Earlier at a press briefing, Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera alleged a “conspiracy” to stop the party’s massive grassroots outreach programme.
“Attempts are being made to defame the Yatra. Those who want to disrupt it are making attempts through their police, their media. They won’t be successful,” he said.
