Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra: FIR Against Rahul Gandhi, Others After Clashes in Assam

Congress' Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra was allegedly stopped from entering Assam's Guwahati.

Security personnel attempt to stop Congress workers from crossing police barricades during the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra in Assam's Guwahati on Tuesday, 22 January.

(Photo: PTI)

An FIR was lodged against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and other party members on Tuesday, 23 January, over alleged violence and assault on police personnel.

Earlier on Tuesday, Congress' Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra, led by Rahul Gandhi, was allegedly stopped from entering Assam's Guwahati. The Yatra convoy was met with a barricaded road at Khanapara area, when they were trying to enter Guwahati.

The blockade triggered protests amongst the party workers who removed some of the barricades, leading to a scuffle with the police.

"With reference to wanton acts of violence, provocation , damage to public property and assault on police personnel today by Cong members , a FIR has been registered against Rahul Gandhi, KC Venugopal , Kanhaiya Kumar and other individuals under section 120(B)143/147/188/283/353/332/333/427 IPC R/W Sec. 3 of PDPP Act," Assam Chief Minister and BJP leader Himanta Biswa Sarma wrote on X.

"We have won as we have broken the barricades," All India Congress Committee (AICC) incharge (Assam) Jitendra Singh was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.

Congress’s Assam chief Bhupen Borah and party leader Jakir Hussain Sikdar were also injured in the clash, according to The Indian Express.

Indian Youth Congress national president Srinivas BV also posted visuals of the clash on X (formerly Twitter).

"Whatever the Assam CM is doing against the Yatra, it benefits the Yatra. The publicity that we might have not got, by doing this the Assam CM & Union Home Minister Amit Shah are helping us. Now, the main issue in Assam is the Yatra...It is their intimidation tactics...Our message of Nyay is reaching the people..," Gandhi said in a press conference on Tuesday afternoon.

'Naxalite Tactics': Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma

Replying to Srinivas' post, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma directed Assam Police to register a case against Gandhi for "provoking the crowd."

"These are not part of Assamese culture. We are a peaceful state. Such “naxalite tactics” are completely alien to our culture. I have instructed DGP Assam Police to register a case against your leader Rahul Gandhi for provoking the crowd and use the footage you have posted on your handles as the evidence. Your unruly behaviour and violation of agreed guidelines have resulted in a massive traffic jam in Guwahati now," Sarma posted on X.

Furthermore, Sarma posted a visual alleging that "Rahul Gandhi and Jitendra Singh instigated the mob to hit Assam Police personnel."

'Insisted on Changing Route': Assam Police

In a long post on X, Assam Police said, "Participants (Yatra participants) of the road event insisted on changing the route that would have thrown city life out of gear and also jeopardising security of a Z+ category PP who is part of the road event."

"On being advised to stick to ASL plan, the participants of road event, at the instigation of senior leaders tried to force their way by changing the route which was resisted by the Assam police," it added.

The Yatra entered Meghalaya on Monday and returned to Assam for its last leg on Tuesday. It is scheduled to be in the state till Thursday, reported PTI.

(With inputs form PTI and The Indian Express.)