Kumar Bahukhandi
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi-Photo-PTI
Rahul Gandhi met students from Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities in Darbhanga. This meeting took place in Ambedkar Hostel, which was not permitted by the administration. The administration claims that no political event was permitted in the hostel, despite this Rahul Gandhi and his supporters organised the event.
Darbhanga: Two FIRs have been filed against Congress MP Rahul Gandhi who is on a Bihar tour. Darbhanga police has filed two FIRs against him. These FIRs have been filed in Laheriyasarai police station of Darbhanga and 20 named leaders including Rahul Gandhi and about 100 unknown people have been made accused in it. One of these is for forcibly organizing a program in Ambedkar hostel.
Actually, Rahul Gandhi met students of Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) community in Darbhanga. This meeting took place in Ambedkar Hostel, which was not permitted by the administration. The administration claims that no political event was permitted in the hostel, despite this Rahul Gandhi and his supporters organized the event. Police have registered two FIRs in this case, in both of which Rahul Gandhi has been named.
The first FIR has been registered for violation of Section 163 (formerly Section 144) of the Indian Penal Code (BNS). Magistrate Khurshid Alam, who was present on the spot, lodged this FIR. It is alleged that Rahul Gandhi and his supporters held a meeting despite prohibitory orders and ignored law and order.
The second FIR has been registered for organizing a program without permission in Ambedkar Kalyan Hostel. It was lodged by District Welfare Officer Alok Kumar. It is alleged that a political program was organized by forcibly entering the hostel premises. This has also been confirmed by Darbhanga Sadar SDPO Amit Kumar and SDM Vikas.
All these are medals for me: Rahul Gandhi
While talking to the media in Patna, Rahul Gandhi said, “There are 30-32 cases against me, all these are medals for me. I had talked about caste census (in the hostel of Darbhanga) and also said that the law regarding reservation in private colleges and universities should be implemented. Also, the limit of 50% reservation should be removed. These are our demands and we will fulfill them.”
Political message and demand for caste census
This visit of Rahul Gandhi was not just a meeting, but it also has political meaning. He raised three major demands from the platform of ‘Shiksha Nyay Samvad’. Completeness and transparency of caste census, mandatory reservation for OBC, EBC, SC and ST in private institutions and transparent and complete use of SC-ST sub plan funds.
Rahul Gandhi alleged that the Nitish Kumar government has not delivered the funds received under the SC-ST sub plan to these communities. He said that this is not only a violation of the Constitution but also against the spirit of social justice.
Participation in the screening of the film ‘Phule’
After the Darbhanga program, Rahul Gandhi reached Patna, where he watched the recently released film ‘Phule’. The film is based on the lives of social reformers Jyotirao Phule and Savitribai Phule. On this occasion, he also interacted with civil society representatives associated with the SC/ST community. This program symbolically underlines the Congress’ focus on social justice and inclusive education.
Congress’ strategy intensifies in Bihar
This visit of Rahul Gandhi was the fourth visit to Bihar in the last five months. In view of the possible assembly elections in October-November, the joint strategy of Congress and RJD is becoming aggressive. After the recent announcement by the Central Government to conduct caste census along with the national census, the Congress seems to be preparing to bring this issue to the ground.
