Assam Congress Leaders Slam BJP Over Protest and Women’s Safety Claims

Senior Assam Congress leader Pranati Phukan has criticized the BJP for staging a protest in Guwahati on Saturday, just one day after Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma condemned such actions. The BJP organized the protest demanding strict action against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for his alleged disrespect toward Nagaland Rajya Sabha MP S Phangnon Konyak during the recent altercation between the NDA and the INDIA bloc in Parliament.

Phukan expressed disbelief over the BJP’s contradiction, stating, “On Friday, the Chief Minister says that political parties should not be involved in protests. However, the very next day, the BJP hit the streets in Guwahati. This is absurd and laughable.”

The Congress leader also took aim at the BJP’s stance on women’s safety, questioning their commitment to the issue. She said, “They accuse us saying women are not safe in Congress. I want to ask, how safe are women in BJP? They continue to remain mum over the death of Indrani Tahbildar. One of their women leaders advised me to not visit their state headquarters after 7 pm. After that, taking up issues like women’s safety does not suit the BJP.”

Phukan further emphasized that Rahul Gandhi and his family have always been advocates for women’s rights and safety, in contrast to the BJP’s silence on important matters. “Rahul Gandhi and his family have always spoken for women’s rights and their safety. They (BJP) do not have the time to be worried about public anger. BJP today has become Adani’s party,” she added.

Phukan also responded to Sarma’s controversial remarks about the Congress’s ‘Raj Bhavan Chalo’ march, which led to the death of party worker Mridul Islam and injuries to several media personnel. Sarma had suggested that the Congress was agitating to provoke police action, but Phukan argued that Sarma’s words about firing bullets revealed his true intentions. “When Himanta Biswa Sarma talked about firing bullets, he actually spoke his mind. They may even reach the doorsteps of Congress leaders and workers and fire at them,” she said.

Mira Borthakur, president of the Assam Pradesh Mahila Congress, also targeted CM Sarma, accusing him of being haunted by Rahul Gandhi’s influence. “Rahul Gandhi’s ghost is haunting Himanta Biswa Sarma. Speaking about women’s safety does not suit the BJP. It is like Bhutor Mukhot Ram Naam (devil chanting god’s name),” she remarked.

Borthakur raised several questions about the BJP’s handling of women’s issues, referencing past incidents where the party was accused of turning a blind eye. “Where were the BJP Mahila Morcha leaders when women were paraded naked in Manipur, when Brij Bhushan Singh sexually assaulted women wrestlers, when a BJP leader raped a minor girl in Tinsukia, when Junmoni Rabha was murdered, and when Indrani Tahbildar had to commit suicide after being embroiled in a job scam?” she asked.

She also questioned the BJP’s silence on the alleged misconduct by Rahul Gandhi toward Konyak, urging the release of CCTV footage to clarify the situation. “If Rahul Gandhi misbehaved with Nagaland’s woman MP, then why don’t they release the CCTV footage? Before pointing fingers at others, the BJP should introspect,” she said, adding that the BJP has no moral ground to speak on women’s safety.

Borthakur concluded by stating that it was Congress who had stood up for women in the party, such as Indrani Tahbildar and Jonali Nath. “They are just copying us. Since we protested, they had to come out. Bhabesh Kalita’s party does not heed to Himanta Biswa Sarma. That is why, within 12 hours of his comments, they are out on the streets,” she asserted.

The exchange of accusations highlights the deepening political divide between the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress in Assam, particularly around issues of women’s rights and political protests.