The Congress party is raising serious concerns about the safety of Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, following an alleged death threat issued against him. The threat, purportedly made by Printu Mahadev, a former leader of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and a reported spokesperson for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), during a televised debate, has sparked outrage and demands for immediate action.
During a debate on a Malayalam channel, Mahadev allegedly stated that "Rahul Gandhi will be shot in the chest". The Congress party views this statement as a "cold, calculated, and chilling death threat" and not merely a slip of the tongue. They argue that such a threat not only endangers Gandhi's life but also undermines the Constitution, the rule of law, and the basic security assurances owed to every citizen, especially the Leader of the Opposition.
In response to the alleged threat, KC Venugopal, Congress General Secretary, has written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, urging immediate and exemplary action against Mahadev. Venugopal warned that any failure to act swiftly and decisively would be seen as complicity and a tacit endorsement of violence against the opposition leader. He also highlighted previous instances of threats against Gandhi, including those propagated through social media platforms allegedly linked to the BJP.
The Congress party has posed three key questions in the wake of this incident:
- Is this part of a larger, sinister conspiracy? The Congress has questioned whether the death threat is an isolated incident or part of a broader plan to intimidate and silence Rahul Gandhi. They point to the history of violence against the Gandhi family, with the assassinations of Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi, as reasons for taking the threat with utmost seriousness.
- Does the BJP endorse the politics of criminal intimidation, violence, and even death threats? The Congress has directly challenged the BJP to clarify its stance on the alleged death threat and to condemn such behavior unequivocally. They argue that silence or inaction would be interpreted as tacit approval of such tactics.
- Will the government ensure the safety and security of Rahul Gandhi? The Congress is demanding that the government take all necessary measures to protect Rahul Gandhi's life and ensure his safety. They have raised concerns about previous lapses in Gandhi's security, including instances where he traveled abroad without informing the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), which is responsible for his protection.
The CRPF, entrusted with Gandhi's security, has reportedly raised concerns about potential lapses in his security protocol, including instances of him traveling abroad without prior notification. The leak of an official letter addressing these concerns to the media has further fueled suspicion of a wider conspiracy.
The Congress party is demanding immediate arrest of Printu Mahadev and has asked for a public apology from the BJP leadership. They assert that the safety of the Leader of the Opposition is paramount and that any threat to his life is an attack on democracy itself.
