Rahul, Priyanka Gandhi detained by UP police enroute Hathras

Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra were detained by the Uttar Pradesh Police on Thursday as they set off on foot to meet the kin of the gang rape victim at Hathras, after being stopped near Greater Noida on the Agra Expressway.

Dramatic scenes were witnessed on the Yamuna Expressway where Rahul fell to the ground after being pushed and shoved by the UP Police officials who told the former Congress President that he was violating the prohibitory orders by marching towards Hathras.

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Rahul’s request to be allowed to proceed alone to Hathras was rejected by the police and he along with Priyanka and Congress leaders including Randeep Singh Surjewala, Rajeev Shukla, Jitin Prasada, Deepender Hooda, Sushmita Dev, Ragini Nayak, Ajay Kumar Lallu were also detained by the police.

Congress has been alleging a cover-up by the Uttar Pradesh government in the investigation of the Hathras gang rape case and demanding resignation of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath

Also read: Rahul, Priyanka Gandhi leave to meet family of Hathras rape victim

“Just now police pushed me, lathi-charged me and threw me to the ground,” Rahul told reporters, minutes before he and several Congress leaders were detained by the UP police and taken to a guest house at the Buddha International Circuit, a venue for motor racing events, nearby.

“I want to meet the family. I can tell you nobody can stop me. Meeting the family is no crime,” Rahul told the media on Yamuna Expressway.

After being stopped from proceeding further, Rahul was seen asking the police officials the reasons for his “arrest”.

“They prevented us from going to Hathras. When we all went out on foot with Rahulji, we were repeatedly stopped, they used lathis in a barbaric manner. Many workers have been injured. But our intention is clear. The sticks of an arrogant government cannot stop us,” Priyanka said.

Political fellow travellers such as NCP, DMK, Shiv Sena, CPI came out in support of Congress leaders and condemned the BJP government for the police action.

“Reckless behaviour of UP Police towards Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is extremely condemnable. It is reprehensible for those who are supposed to uphold the law to trample upon the democratic values in such a manner,” NCP supremo Sharad Pawar said.

Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi described the Congress leader’s march towards Hathras as “political tourism” and insisted that the “barbaric criminals” will be punished for their barbarism.

“Those who are trying to increase the tension through political tourism should not do that,” Naqvi said.