Congress slams BJP panelist’s alleged ‘death threat’ to Rahul Gandhi in Kerala
Thiruvananthapuram: The Congress party in Kerala has strongly condemned the alleged threat made against Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi by a BJP panelist during a televised debate, demanding immediate legal action.
The controversy erupted after Printu Mahadev, a former ABVP leader appearing for the BJP, reportedly said during a debate on News18 Kerala regarding the recent Ladakh violence, that “Rahul Gandhi will be shot in the chest,” as reported by The Indian Express on Sunday.
Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala urged the Kerala police to immediately register a case against Mahadev. “A BJP spokesperson has openly raised death threats against the Lok Sabha Opposition Leader. However, Kerala police under Pinarayi Vijayan are reluctant to register a case against him. Police reluctance shows the nexus between BJP and CPI(M). He (Mahadev) should be booked without delay,’’ he said.
Echoing similar concerns, Leader of the Opposition in the Kerala Assembly V.D. Satheesan expressed shock over the lack of police action. “It is shocking that police have not so far taken a suo motu action on the threat. Rahul cannot be silenced with such words,” TIE quoted him as saying.
Satheesan further accused the state government of tacitly aligning with the saffron party. “Police inaction shows that the Vijayan government has compromised with BJP. They want to end Rahul Gandhi,” he remarked.
Satheesan added that the people of India would not allow any attempt to silence Rahul Gandhi, who, he said, remains steadfast in his fight against communalism and fascism, undeterred by threats or intimidation.
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UP Cong holds statewide protest seeking probe into FIR against Swami Avimukteshwaranand
Lucknow (PTI): The Uttar Pradesh Congress on Wednesday staged a statewide protest demanding a fair and transparent inquiry into the FIR lodged against Swami Avimukteshwaranand Saraswati and those who filed the complaint against him.
In a statement issued here, the party said memorandums addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi were submitted through district magistrates in all districts of the state.
Uttar Pradesh Congress spokesperson Manish Hindvi told PTI that the memorandums were handed over through the district administration in all 75 districts.
In the memorandum, the party alleged that Saraswati and his disciples were "unnecessarily harassed and humiliated" by police on the occasion of Amavasya and were prevented from taking a ritual bath (at the Magh Mela). It further alleged that some disciples were manhandled and taken to a police station.
The memorandum also claimed that an FIR was later registered against Saraswati, his disciple Swami Mukundanand Brahmachari and several unidentified persons in a sexual harassment case. It termed the case a "conspiracy" aimed at tarnishing the seer's reputation.
Citing Articles 25 and 26 of the Constitution, the memorandum stated that these provisions guarantee religious freedom and the right of religious denominations to manage their own affairs.
It described the position of shankaracharya held by Saraswati as "one of the highest spiritual posts in Sanatan tradition" and alleged that the entire episode appeared to have been "orchestrated in a planned manner".
"We request that the background of the persons who got the FIR registered be investigated in a transparent manner by a retired high court judge and strict action be taken against them," the memorandum said.
It also sought a "fair and transparent probe" into the allegations levelled against Saraswati so that the truth could be established.
Earlier, Uttar Pradesh Congress president Ajay Rai had told reporters in Varanasi after meeting Saraswati that the party stood firmly with him.
The Congress said it would continue to press for an impartial inquiry into the entire episode.
On February 21, an FIR was lodged in Prayagraj against Saraswati and his disciple Mukundanand Brahmachari on charges of sexually abusing two persons, including a minor, over the past year at a gurukul and religious congregations, including the recently concluded Magh Mela.
Days after he was booked, Saraswati had said on Monday that he would not oppose his arrest and asserted that the "fabricated story" would be exposed sooner or later.
At a press conference on Wednesday, Saraswati alleged that criminals rule in Uttar Pradesh, level allegations and influence investigations, as he denied having any contact with the two persons for whose alleged sexual abuse he has been booked.
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