Congress Basic Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Sunday left for Lakhimpur Kheri have been protesting ‘farmers’ attacked BJP staff’ convoy and subsequent violence led to the loss of life of not less than eight folks. Of those, 4 have been BJP staff. Nonetheless, since Priyanka is a part of the ‘agitation committee’ arrange by Congress earlier this 12 months, she is now enjoying the function assigned to her of making certain that the protests proceed to occur throughout India. And if they’re in a poll-bound state resembling Uttar Pradesh, nothing higher, eh?
When she reached Lucknow and proceeded in the direction of Lakhimpur Kheri, she was stopped by the Police. In such a politically risky state of affairs the place where every who’s who and who even is that from the political world has determined to make Lakhimpur Kheri their vacation spot, it’s clearly the state administration’s accountability to make sure legislation and order state of affairs are maintained.
This video right here will clarify how precisely political recreation was at play.
Within the above video, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra is seen threatening the UP Police. She mentioned, “Are you forcing me to take a seat on this [pointing to the police vehicle]? In the event you do it, it will likely be my kidnapping. That is your authorized standing? Are you getting it? Don’t assume that I don’t perceive.”
When Police mentioned that he must arrest her if she doesn’t let her detain her, she mentioned, “Arrest me. I’ll go fortunately with you. You might be pushing me. In the event you hold doing so, it can appeal to instances of assault, try to kidnap, kidnap, try to molest, try to hurt. Are you getting me? I perceive all the things. Try to touch me
She then pointed to ladies cops who have been standing there and mentioned, “Don’t think of bringing ladies officers in front. Study to speak to the ladies. Are you getting it?”
As per Indian legal guidelines, a lady may be taken into custody solely in presence of a lady police officer. An all-male crew can’t be taking a lady in custody or detaining her.
Why Priyanka Gandhi’s statements are problematic
Firstly, to start with, she is insisting that the ladies officers who’re current there shouldn’t come ahead. All that is being recorded on digital camera the place an enormous crowd is current. In case some miscreant does some mischief and the police use power, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra may then declare she was ‘assaulted’ by the all-male police team. Even when the police then can be making an attempt to take care of rule and regulation and order, a ‘lady politician assaulted by police’ can be the narrative.
Secondly, and extra importantly, when Priyanka Gandhi Vadra threatens the UP Police that she is going to accuse them of ‘try to molest’ it undermines the horrendous crime. Ladies in India are subjected to molestation, rape, and sexual assault. There are, sadly, quite a few instances the place victims are usually not even believed. And right here we have now a star child, so to say, who has been born in an illustrious political household which has given India three prime ministers, threatening police of accusing them of the try to molest her, solely as a result of they mentioned they may detain her.
As a political party whose chief, Rahul Gandhi, who occurs to be her elder brother, retains on talking about girls empowerment and girls security, how does she get to get away with making threats about accusing males of molestation even when no such factor has taken place? Is that the empowerment Rahul Gandhi retains promising?
On Lakhimpur Kheri – How can we say that this is ok?
And solely somebody who’s privileged and maybe by no means actually needed to face molestation can throw such phrases so casually. That informal groping within the metro, the hand on the chest on the crowded road of Delhi’s Chandni Chowk close to the Jama Masjid, and the sheer dread of strolling alone from the metro station to the residence after sundown, clutching on to at least one’s bag with hand curled up in fist for fast reflex – Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has maybe by no means has ever gone through this. The crippling worry each time I take a cab and ensuring I hold sharing my location with household and buddies to make sure at the least somebody is conscious in case I am gone missing– I’m positive Priyanka Gandhi Vadra can not relate to this ever.
Sexual harassment is just not a joke. Molestation is just not a joke. Rape is just not a joke.
Possibly as a lady political leader, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra may introspect and be a little bit extra alert before she throws phrases like molestation so casually.
