Arunachal: Congress files FIR against BJP for burning Rahul Gandhi's effigy

The Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) has lodged an FIR and submitted a representation against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for carrying out an illegal protest and burning an effigy of Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition (LOP), in front of the APCC headquarters in Itanagar. 

The incident has sparked massive outrage and condemnation from the APCC. According to the APCC, members of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM), the youth wing of the BJP, illegally entered the APCC headquarters, defamed Rahul Gandhi through slogans, and set fire to his effigy after dousing it with petrol. The protest took place with the alleged approval of the Deputy Commissioner of the Itanagar Capital Region, who issued an order permitting the demonstration.

APCC vehemently condemned the act, lambasting the Deputy Commissioner for sanctioning the protest and expressing dismay over the role of the Superintendent of Police and other police personnel, who were accused of forcefully intruding into the APCC premises. The APCC emphasized the hazardous nature of the protest, noting the close proximity of a petrol pump to their office, which could have resulted in a catastrophic fire and severe casualties had the flames reached the fuel source.

During the altercation, several APCC General Secretaries were reportedly manhandled, pushed, and dragged, with threats exchanged between the protestors and APCC members. The situation was described as highly volatile, with the potential for serious injury to both Congress workers and BJYM protestors.

Tokom Mina, the APCC spokesperson, raised critical questions about the district administration's actions, pointing out a perceived double standard in handling activists and protestors. She cited past instances where social activists were detained under the Arunachal Pradesh Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (APUAPA) and questioned why similar measures were not taken against the BJYM members involved in this incident.

The APCC has called for strict legal action against the individuals responsible for the illegal protest and effigy burning, urging the authorities to uphold the rule of law and ensure that such acts of political intimidation do not go unpunished. The incident has further intensified the political climate in Arunachal Pradesh, with both parties standing firm on their respective stances.