Rahul Gandhi Arrested by Uttar Pradesh Police
Almost three decades after the Babri Masjid was razed, a special court has acquitted 32 accused including BJP veterans LK Advani, Murli Manohar Joshi and Uma Bharti.
On 1st October 2020, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and his sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and a convoy of Congress party workers were travelling to Hathras to meet the family of the Dalit gang-rape victim who died. They were stopped in Noida by the Uttar Pradesh police. The UP police said they could not go ahead because large gatherings were not allowed due to the COVID pandemic. The Gandhis were around 142 Km away from Hathras. Rahul Gandhi said, “ Just now police pushed me, lathi-charged me and threw me to the ground. I want to asl, can only Modiji walk in this country? Can’t a normal person walk? I am standing here peacefully. I will go alone then. I will walk alone from here to Hathras.” Rahul and Priyanka both got off their car and started marching with Congress workers.
Viral videos showed a large contingent of UP policemen blocked their way. Visuals showed Rahul Gandhi being pushed and shoved as he tried to resist the police. In the clash, he was seen falling to the ground. Other Congress leaders helped him up. Priyanka Gandhi alleged that she was also pushed and there were attempts to throw her to the ground. The police have charged Rahul Gandhi him Section 188 which is a law on defying official orders. Rahul Gandhi asked the police, “Why are you arresting me? What are the grounds for the arrest? What law am I violating?”
Congress leader Randeep Surjewala said, “The Gandhis are preparing to march alone. What is Yogi Adityanath afraid of?” Opposition parties condemned the incident and came out in support of the Gandhis. However, Uttar Pradesh Minister Siddharth Nath Singh said that Gandhis' protest was a publicity stunt.
