Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has accused the Delhi Police of violently assaulting Youth Congress workers during protests concerning alleged irregularities in electoral rolls. He made these statements during a press conference on Wednesday, where he highlighted the case of a student named Athira, who reportedly lost hearing in one ear due to police actions. Gandhi asserted that Athira, a student from Delhi University, was struck multiple times by police personnel while being detained during the protests on Tuesday.

Gandhi claimed that Athira’s injury was a direct result of police brutality, stating, “Athira from Kerala has lost her hearing in one ear. She is deaf in one ear because she was struck on that ear.” He emphasised the severity of the situation by recalling a previous instance where a male protester was blinded, underscoring the ongoing issues of police violence during demonstrations.

Athira herself recounted her experience, alleging that no female police officers were present during her detention on the bus. She expressed concern over the absence of women police personnel, stating, “If they want to detain us, having at least one female constable present is mandatory.” She further claimed that upon reaching the Connaught Place police station, she was subjected to repeated blows to her face, resulting in injuries to her eye and ear.

Allegations of Gender-Based Violence

Another female protester associated with the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI) also reported being assaulted by police during the same protest. Rahul Gandhi introduced her at the press conference, referring to her as “our sherni,” a term denoting bravery. She alleged that a police constable, identified as Chanchal Yadav, physically assaulted her by grabbing her neck and scratching her face and ear with her nails.

This incident reportedly took place while NSUI members were being detained in buses. The woman claimed that she was slapped when she resisted the assault, further highlighting the aggressive tactics employed by law enforcement during the protests. These allegations contribute to a growing list of accusations against the police regarding their conduct during demonstrations against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

Protests have erupted at various locations throughout Delhi, including Connaught Place and near the Ramakrishna Ashram Marg Metro station, as demonstrators demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The ongoing unrest reflects widespread dissatisfaction with the electoral process and the perceived mishandling of voter registration.

Concerns Raised Over Treatment of Detainees

In addition to the allegations of physical violence, Congress youth leaders have reported that police personnel used lathis to strike them and kicked them in sensitive areas during their detention. These claims have raised significant concerns regarding the treatment of individuals in custody, particularly minors, who were allegedly released without their belongings, including phones and money, leaving them without means to return home.

Furthermore, several journalists covering the protests have stated that they were detained despite identifying themselves as members of the press and presenting their press cards. This has sparked discussions about press freedom and the rights of journalists to report on public demonstrations without fear of retribution.

The situation continues to develop as the protests unfold, with calls for accountability from law enforcement and demands for a thorough investigation into the reported incidents of police brutality. The response from the authorities remains to be seen as public scrutiny intensifies regarding their handling of the protests and treatment of detainees.

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