New Delhi: The BJP Friday accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of indulging in “cheap and anarchic” politics by staging a dharna outside the Parliament Street police station, alleging that it was an attempt to divert attention from his party’s stand on the Vande Mataram issue.
The ruling party’s remarks came after Gandhi sat on a dharna at the police station seeking registration of an FIR over pellet injuries suffered by 19-year-old Sahil Lochab during the CJP-led July 20 protest. Gandhi said “brutality” against a peaceful protest was a “serious crime”.
Gandhi, accompanied by Lochab, claimed that he was told by police officers that an FIR could not be registered as “there are orders from the top”.
Union Health Minister J P Nadda said Gandhi’s dharna was neither for students nor for justice but reflected the Congress’ “political frustration” and his “hunger for footage”.
“Today, the entire nation has once again witnessed Rahul Gandhi’s cheap and attention-diverting politics, which he displayed outside the Parliament Street police station.
“Rahul Gandhi’s protest is neither for students nor for justice; it is a symbol of the Congress party’s political frustration and Rahul Gandhi’s hunger for footage,” Nadda told reporters here.
Linking Gandhi’s protest to the ongoing political row over Vande Mataram, Nadda alleged that the Congress was facing criticism over its stand on the national song and Gandhi had staged the sit-in to divert attention from the issue.
“To hide the Congress’ anti-national face and divert attention from embarrassment, Rahul Gandhi hastily staged this drama,” he said.
He questioned Gandhi’s decision to protest when the Supreme Court has already taken cognisance of the July 20 incident and constituted a five-member high-powered committee to examine the matter.
“When the country’s highest court is investigating the matter, what does Rahul Gandhi want to prove by sitting outside a police station in front of cameras? Has the Leader of Opposition lost faith in the judiciary?” Nadda said.
“This reflects his stubbornness and the frustration of the Congress,” Nadda said, alleging that Gandhi’s objective was not to seek justice or an investigation but to create a ruckus and challenge law and order.
Nadda said the country was governed by the Constitution, law and judicial procedures, and not by “one family’s stubbornness” or “love for cameras”.
“People are seeking answers from the Congress and the Congress will have to answer,” Nadda said.
He also accused the Congress of avoiding parliamentary debate despite Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s call to the opposition party to participate in discussions in Parliament.
Senior BJP leader and MP Ravi Shankar Prasad also accused Gandhi of indulging in “anarchic politics” and accused him of having no respect for law and order.
Addressing a press conference here, Prasad claimed that Gandhi’s protest was an attempt to divert attention after the Congress realised that its stand on the Vande Mataram issue was wrong.
“I have my doubts and allegations that the Congress is trapped over its stand on Vande Mataram and is trying to divert attention,” he told reporters.
Prasad said Gandhi staged the dharna without permission or prior information and questioned the Congress’ decision to protest when an investigation into the matter is already underway.
“Congress has become a party driven by Rahul Gandhi’s appeasement politics,” Prasad alleged.