Police in Guwahati detained several protesters on Saturday after BJP Assam Pradesh Mahila Morcha workers smashed through barricades to confront Congress leaders outside Rajiv Bhawan. The confrontation erupted over Rahul Gandhi, with the BJP women's wing demanding he apologize for what they described as inappropriate behavior towards a woman constable.
Purabee Roy, state general secretary of Assam Pradesh Mahila Morcha, directed the sharpest criticism at the Congress. She accused the party of suspending a Manipur MP on October 9 for sexual harassment while claiming to champion women's rights. Roy stated that the MP was closely associated with Rahul Gandhi, arguing that the Congress uses women only for votes.
The mood turned volatile when Congress workers emerged at the main gate of Rajiv Bhawan to counter-protest. They raised slogans calling BJP leaders "Vote Chor, Go Back," prompting the BJP crowd to retaliate with "Congress Murdabad" chants. Assam Cabinet Minister Nilima Devi, who joined the protest, questioned Rahul Gandhi's silence on women's safety issues while he publicly professes concern for their dignity.
Assam Police intervened to prevent the two groups from coming to physical blows, but the breach of the cordon has left a bitter political aftertaste in the state. The incident underscores the deepening rift between the BJP and Congress in Assam, with both parties now trading accusations of hypocrisy on gender issues. The next phase of this confrontation will likely unfold in the state assembly, where opposition leaders are expected to cite the protest in their next budget session.