Congress Leader’s Attempt to Reach Flood-hit Villages Stopped by Authorities Amid Controversy
Rahul Gandhi, a prominent Congress leader, was stopped on Monday by police and personnel from the National Disaster Response Force while attempting to visit flood-affected villages in Punjab’s Gurdaspur district. The authorities cited security risks as the reason for halting his visit, particularly in light of the swollen Ravi River that he would have needed to cross by boat to reach the border villages.
These border villages, referred to as ‘zero line’ settlements, are located in areas severely impacted by flooding, which has been described as the worst in Punjab in nearly forty years. The state has reported a tragic toll of 46 deaths over the past month, with estimated losses amounting to Rs 14,000 crore due to the disaster.
Gandhi’s convoy was stopped at Makora Pattan village, the point from which he intended to take a boat to Toor village situated near the border. Reports indicate that this led to a confrontation between Gandhi and the police. A video shared by Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring captures Gandhi questioning the police’s decision to restrict his movement. He expressed disbelief at being told it was unsafe to cross onto what he identified as Indian territory.
During the exchange, Gandhi asked a police officer, “You are telling me you cannot keep me safe on Indian territory? Is it not India?” The officer assured him of their readiness to provide protection. Gandhi responded by questioning whether the leader of the Opposition should be prevented from visiting due to perceived inadequacies in police protection.
Warring took to social media to criticize the Aam Aadmi Party government in Punjab for its heavy-handed approach in deploying police forces to prevent Gandhi’s visit. He highlighted the absurdity of a situation where Gandhi could potentially face a threat from Pakistan while he was on Indian soil, raising concerns about the safety of citizens within the country.
Warring went further by suggesting that Union Home Minister Amit Shah had urged Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge to intervene and stop Gandhi from proceeding with his visit on the grounds of security concerns.
In the political discourse surrounding the incident, Bharatiya Janata Party’s publicity chief Amit Malviya accused Gandhi of creating a spectacle rather than genuinely addressing the needs of flood victims. He characterized Gandhi’s actions as a ‘tantrum,’ suggesting that a responsible leader would prioritize consoling victims and supporting rescue efforts rather than seeking political advantage.
This incident has drawn attention not only to the immediate humanitarian crisis in Punjab but also to the broader political tensions between the Congress and Aam Aadmi Party governments in the state, illustrating the complexities of political maneuvering in times of disaster.
