Protests against racial attacks on people from the Northeast intensified in the Capital on Monday, with leaders across party lines lending support to their cause.
Apart from demanding justice for Arunachal Pradesh student Nido Tania, one of the main demands of the protesters was to enact an anti-racial law within three months.
The protest by students and other members of the Northeast communities was held at Jantar Mantar here, where Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi met protestors and assured them of swift justice.
“Strict action”Addressing the crowd, Mr. Gandhi said: “I have understood what you all are looking for. You are looking for a committee and quick action in the case. We have started working on both. And you can expect swift action in the case. My spirit and heart is with you. I am 100 per cent with you.
“You can expect very strict action against people who did this,” Mr. Gandhi added.
Talking to students from the Northeast, the Congress vice-president added: “This country is for everyone — whether you are from the South or Northeast or any other place. I saw Tania’s picture and he looks like any other Indian. To me, it does not matter where he comes from. What matters is that he is an Indian.”
Questioning Mr. Gandhi’s stand on violence against the youth from the Northeast, the Bharatiya Janata Party on Monday said his decision to join those seeking justice for Tania appears to have been taken after BJP prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi condemned the incidents.
The question that needs to be asked is what steps Mr. Gandhi has taken to ensure that police respond better in such situations as the Delhi Police are under the control of the central government, BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad said.
“Mr. Gandhi is entitled to go and meet [the agitating youth from the Northeast]” Mr. Prasad added.
