Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday accused Delhi Police of assaulting Youth Congress workers detained during a protest against alleged irregularities in electoral rolls. He claimed that a woman protester, identified as Athira, had lost hearing in one ear after being struck during detention.
Addressing a press conference on October 14, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha said Athira, a Delhi University student from Kerala, could no longer hear from the affected ear. Gandhi also referred to an earlier case in which he had alleged that a young protester was blinded.
The allegations come amid opposition demonstrations against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and demands for accountability from the Election Commission of India.
Student Alleges Assault Inside Police Bus
Athira said she was detained during Tuesday's protest and alleged that there were no female police officers on the bus in which protesters were held. She said she asked police personnel where the female officer or constable was, questioning the absence of a woman officer during the detention.
According to her account, the bus subsequently stopped outside the Connaught Place police station. She alleged that police personnel repeatedly struck her on the cheek, leaving her with an eye injury and damage to her ear.
Athira attributed her reported hearing problem to the alleged assault. Her account, as presented in the available report, has not been independently verified here, and the full circumstances of the incident remain unclear.
Political Row Over Protest Policing
Gandhi's allegations have added to the political dispute surrounding the opposition's protests over electoral roll revisions. Opposition leaders have raised concerns about alleged voter deletions and irregularities, while seeking greater accountability from election authorities.
The latest allegations also place the conduct of police personnel during the demonstrations under scrutiny. Establishing what happened would require a detailed examination of the student's medical findings, accounts from witnesses and the police response.
The available report does not include a response from Delhi Police to Athira's specific allegations. Further information from the authorities and any medical assessment would help clarify the circumstances and extent of the reported injuries.
The incident is likely to remain part of the wider debate over protest management, police accountability and the opposition's campaign concerning electoral integrity.
For official information on election procedures, visit the Election Commission of India.
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