Congress leader Rahul Gandhi accused the BJP governments in Uttar Pradesh and Assam of using excessive police force, leading to the deaths of two party workers during protests. Congress leaders blamed the state government for a violent crackdown. Both incidents have sparked political controversy, with Congress demanding compensation and action against the police.
On Wednesday, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi accused the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh and Assam of using “excessive police force” that allegedly led to the deaths of two party workers during protests. In a post on X, Gandhi expressed grief over the death of the workers and blamed police actions for their demise, leading to a massive political storm.
Who Were Mridul Islam, Prabhat Pandey?
Mridul Islam, a 45-year-old advocate and secretary of the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee’s legal cell, reportedly died after a tear gas shell fell near him during a protest outside Raj Bhavan in Guwahati. According to Congress spokesperson Bedabrat Bora, Islam “felt suffocated” and was rushed to Gauhati Medical College and Hospital, where he was declared dead.
State Congress president Bhupen Kumar Borah accused the state government of orchestrating a violent crackdown on peaceful demonstrators. “Mridul Islam did not die. The Himanta Biswa Sarma government murdered him through a planned crackdown on peaceful protestors,” Borah told The Hindu. Congress termed Islam’s death as a “homicidal death amounting to murder” and lodged an FIR at Latasil police station, demanding action against the police and compensation for Islam’s family.
State Congress president Bhupen Kumar Borah accused the state government of orchestrating a violent crackdown on peaceful demonstrators. “Mridul Islam did not die. The Himanta Biswa Sarma government murdered him through a planned crackdown on peaceful protestors,” Borah told The Hindu. Congress termed Islam’s death as a “homicidal death amounting to murder” and lodged an FIR at Latasil police station, demanding action against the police and compensation for Islam’s family.
Islam and other protesters were rallying against the Adani group and the lack of discussions on the Manipur crisis in Parliament, a key demand of the Congress.
In a separate incident in Lucknow, 28-year-old Youth Congress leader Prabhat Pandey allegedly died following a scuffle with police during a Congress-led demonstration. Pandey was reportedly brought dead to the Civil Hospital in Hazratganj.
DCP Raveena Tyagi stated that Pandey had “no visible injuries” when brought to the hospital, adding that a post-mortem would be conducted by a panel with the process videographed.
DCP Raveena Tyagi stated that Pandey had “no visible injuries” when brought to the hospital, adding that a post-mortem would be conducted by a panel with the process videographed.