Joshi accuses Rahul Gandhi of staging 'drama' over police station visit
Union Minister Pralhad Joshi has accused Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi of staging a "drama" at the Parliament Street police station, where Gandhi demanded an FIR into the alleged pellet-gun injury suffered by student protester Sahil Lochab. As reported by ANI, Joshi alleged that the episode was an attempt to divert attention from the criticism Congress is facing over its resolution to sing only two stanzas of Vande Mataram.
Questioning the timing of Gandhi's visit, Joshi told reporters, "When the Supreme Court constitutes a committee, every action, every commission and omission, there will be an enquiry. In this case, the Supreme Court has constituted a committee. Why did he (Rahul Gandhi) go yesterday? Parliament was adjourned sine die on the morning of August 13. He went on August 20. Was he sleeping? He only did this because his party is facing backlash over the Vande Mataram resolution. The public is angry. Just to deflect this criticism, he staged this drama."
Joshi also questioned the party's commitment to constitutional principles, noting that the Congress Working Committee has decided that only the first two stanzas of 'Vande Mataram' would be sung at party events, citing a 1937 resolution. "The Congress party has never given any respect to the constitution... All these things that they have done are unconstitutional activities," he said, as reported by both ANI and The Times of India.
FIR registered following sit-in protest
Delhi Police registered an FIR on Friday in connection with the pellet gun injury case under Sections 118 and 125 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), following Rahul Gandhi's sit-in protest at the Parliament Street police station. The protest was demanding action on Lochab's complaint.
The victim had alleged that his complaint was not being registered despite suffering injuries from pellet gun firing at Connaught Place on July 20. He claimed that he underwent surgery at AIIMS, but his vision remained affected.
Rahul Gandhi, accompanied by Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and other Congress leaders, questioned the delay in filing the FIR and said the AIIMS report showed more than 200 shells in Lochab's body and three shells in his eye, according to reports from ANI and The Times of India.
Context and contrasting viewpoints
The controversy arises against the backdrop of the Congress party's recent resolution on Vande Mataram, which has drawn criticism from political opponents. Joshi's remarks highlight a sharp partisan divide over both the handling of Lochab's case and the party's symbolic gestures.
While Joshi framed Gandhi's police station visit as a calculated political distraction, Gandhi and his supporters have presented it as a legitimate demand for justice on behalf of an injured protester. The differing interpretations underscore the charged political atmosphere surrounding the incident.
As the story develops, the focus remains on the ongoing legal proceedings and the political responses they have provoked.