‘Anarchic, immature’: BJP targets Rahul over anti-CEC protests

NEW DELHI: The BJP on Thursday targeted Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over the protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, describing the Leader of the Opposition (LoP) as “anarchic, immature and irresponsible” and accusing him of undermining constitutional institutions.

Addressing a press conference, BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia also alleged that Gandhi had violated the dignity of a woman cop during the protest. “The Congress party and Rahul Gandhi stated that they would stage a protest and approach the Supreme Court. Now, one must ask: what kind of behavior was this?".

Bhatia added, "Can 'mobocracy' be allowed to prevail? Can one gather a crowd to pressure the judiciary—an institution that is robust, impartial, and trusted by the people of India?” Bhatia questioned the presence of supporters at the Supreme Court premises, alleging that they had shouted slogans and created a ruckus.

“What was the intent behind bringing thousands of supporters to the Supreme Court premises—shouting slogans and creating a ruckus? Can a responsible person—let alone the Leader of the Opposition, or even an ordinary citizen — engage in such conduct? Yet, this is precisely what Rahul Gandhi did,” he said.

He further alleged that Gandhi’s conduct was inconsistent with his public messaging on women’s rights, and accused him of inappropriately touching a woman police officer during the protest. “Rahul Gandhi’s ‘smash the patriarchy’ slogan applies only to women in the Gandhi family. During the protest, he inappropriately touched an on-duty woman police officer, compromising her dignity. This amounts to sexual molestation. The court has issued a notice on this petition,” Bhatia said.

Additionally, Bhatia described Gandhi as “the very embodiment of anarchy in Indian democracy”, adding that it was “unfortunate” that someone he characterised as “ignorant of the Constitution” held the post of LoP.