New Delhi: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday accused Delhi Police of assaulting Youth Congress and student activists detained during protests against alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
He claimed a Delhi University student from Kerala, Athira, lost hearing in one ear after being struck by police personnel.
Speaking at a press conference alongside protesters, Gandhi said Athira was allegedly assaulted inside a police bus near Connaught Place police station.
She claimed no female police officer was present during the detention and alleged that police personnel repeatedly hit her, causing ear and eye injuries.
A National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) worker also alleged that a female officer scratched her face and slapped her during detention. Another protester claimed that 15 to 20 police personnel beat him and a colleague inside Parliament Street police station and that an officer continued assaulting them during their transfer.
Congress leaders alleged that protesters were hit with lathis and kicked in their private parts. Concerns were also raised over minors allegedly being released without phones, money or transport home.
Gandhi urged students to record alleged incidents and submit evidence to the Congress, promising accountability for those responsible, including officials and political leaders.
He described the demonstrations as a collective demand for constitutional rights beyond religion, caste and gender.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge also accused the BJP of “authoritarianism,” alleging that protesters were being detained and beaten while demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation.
The allegations come amid growing opposition to the SIR exercise and restrictions on demonstrations in Delhi. Police responses to the specific allegations were not included in the reports.
