Delhi Police have issued a notice to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over his “women are still being sexually assaulted” remark made during the Bharat Jodo Yatra in Srinagar, officials said on Thursday.
Taking cognisance of social media posts, the police have sent a questionnaire and asked him to “give details about women who have approached him regarding sexual harassment so that security can be provided to those victims”, said a senior police officer.
According to police, Mr. Gandhi gave a statement in Srinagar during the Bharat Jodo Yatra that “I have heard that women are still being sexually assaulted”.
“In one particular case I asked a girl, she had been raped, I asked her should we call the police, she said that don’t call the police then I will be shamed,” Mr. Gandhi had said, according to police.
Reacting to the notice, the Congress said in a tweet, “A govt rattled by Shri Rahul Gandhi’s questions on PM Modi and Adani’s relationship hides behind its police. 45-days after Bharat Jodo Yatra was completed, Delhi Police has, via a notice, sought details of women who met him & spoke about harassment and violence they may have faced.”
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The party said that it will respond to the notice in due course in accordance with law.
It added, “This notice is yet another proof of a government in panic and their latest salvo to weaken democracy, women empowerment, freedom of expression and role of the opposition. Images are self explanatory.”
Congress and several other Opposition parties have been demanding a Joint Parliamentary Committee to probe the Hindenburg-Adani issue. The BJP has upped the ante against Rahul Gandhi and Congress for his remarks on Indian democracy in the UK and sought an apology.
(With inputs from agencies)
Published - March 17, 2023 01:30 am IST
