A controversy has erupted between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress party following a letter from the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) regarding alleged security protocol breaches by Congress MP Rahul Gandhi during his foreign trips. The CRPF, responsible for providing Z+ security to Gandhi, has raised concerns about his disregard for security guidelines, particularly during overseas visits.

The CRPF's letter, addressed to Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, was written by CRPF VVIP Security Chief Sunil June. It alleges that Gandhi has not been taking his security seriously and has frequently traveled abroad without informing the security agency. The letter specifically mentions trips to Italy, Vietnam, Dubai, Qatar, London, and Malaysia, stating that Gandhi failed to adhere to mandatory security procedures during these visits. The CRPF claims that this failure weakens VVIP protection and poses serious risks to his safety.

According to the CRPF, Gandhi's actions violate the protocols outlined in the "Yellow Book," the CRPF's protocol manual. These protocols mandate that individuals with Z+ security, like Gandhi, must inform their security agency 15 days before any foreign travel. The CRPF has appealed to the Congress leadership to ensure strict adherence to security protocols in the future, emphasizing that any lapse not only endangers the individual but also undermines the credibility of the entire security system.

This is not the first time that the CRPF has raised concerns about Gandhi's security arrangements. In 2022, the CRPF reported that Gandhi had violated security guidelines on 113 occasions since 2020, including during the Delhi leg of the Bharat Jodo Yatra. In 2023, the Congress party alleged security lapses during the Kashmir leg of the Yatra, claiming that Gandhi was left vulnerable in a large, unexpected crowd.

The BJP has seized upon the CRPF's letter to attack Rahul Gandhi and the Congress party. BJP leaders have accused Gandhi of being irresponsible and indifferent to his own security. They argue that his behavior sets a bad example and compromises national security. Some BJP members have called for a thorough investigation into the matter and demanded that Gandhi be held accountable for his alleged security breaches.

The Congress party has yet to issue an official response to the CRPF's letter. However, some Congress leaders have dismissed the allegations as politically motivated, accusing the BJP of using the issue to divert attention from its own failures. They argue that Gandhi has always cooperated with security agencies and that his foreign trips are private matters. Some Congress members have also pointed to past instances where Gandhi's security was allegedly compromised due to the negligence of security personnel.