At 4am on Thursday, police carried away an Uttarakhand couple, whose daughter was murdered in 2022, after their nightlong protest at India Gate against the appointment of the BJP’s former Uttarakhand minder Dushyant Gautam as Sikkim governor.
A BJP leader’s son is serving a life term for the murder of the teenaged resort receptionist, killed after allegedly refusing to provide “special services” to a “VIP guest”. Gautam has denied he was the “VIP” and sued his principal accuser for defamation.
The couple were released by sunrise. At the Press Club of India in the evening, the mother broke down in tears.
Activist Yogita Bhayana, who had brought the couple to Delhi, told reporters the protests would intensify if their demands weren’t met by Friday.
“Within 24 hours, we want the order appointing Dushyant Gautam as governor to be rescinded,” Bhayana said.
“I am sure that the President, who signed the order, will accept this as she is a woman too. If not, the people of Sikkim should reject his appointment.”
During the police action to clear the spot, where protests are disallowed, Congress MP and publicity head Pawan Khera, social media head Supriya Shrinate and Youth Congress chief Uday Bhanu Chib and several other party leaders had been detained as well.
Like the couple, Bhayana and the Congress leaders were all released by sunrise.
Lok Sabha Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi and Congress MP Priyanka Vadra had visited the couple on Wednesday evening shortly after they began their protest.
Rahul plea
Rahul has written to President Droupadi Murmu suggesting Gautam had been appointed a governor to make him immune to possible prosecution by the CBI, which is probing the matter.
“One question has gone unanswered for four years: Who were the VIPs?… Many people, including (the murdered woman’s) family, allege that Mr Gautam is linked with this crime,” Rahul’s letter says.
“The CBI inquiry to determine who the VIPs were is ongoing, but proceeding very slowly.... While he holds office, no criminal proceedings can be instituted or continued against him,” it adds.
“Mr Gautam’s appointment places him out of the reach of the CBI. An inquiry that can never result in prosecution is an inquiry in name only.”
The letter underlines that governors are appointed “on the advice of the Council of Ministers, led by the Prime Minister”.
“PM Modi has proved his utter disregard for women’s safety by advising Mr Gautam’s appointment. However, by long convention, the President has the right to warn the government, and Article 74(1) gives you the power to ask for advice to be reconsidered...,” Rahul has written.
“I request you to ask the Government to reconsider this appointment, and that Mr. Gautam not take office until the CBI has completed its investigation.”
The letter adds: “Her (the victim’s) parents, who are still fighting for justice, are now protesting this appointment and being detained by police. Please act — provide solace to (the) grieving parents and protect the high post of Governor.”
Target Gandhis
At a news conference on Thursday, the BJP accused Rahul of touching a woman police officer inappropriately, and Priyanka of aggressive behaviour with the police.
However, the party made no mention of Gautam.
BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia played a video showing Rahul at the Opposition MPs’ October 7 demonstration for the removal of chief election commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The visuals suggest Rahul’s hand grazed a woman police officer’s back while Congress workers were resisting detention.
“...The question must also be asked: If a female protester can only be taken into custody, detained, or engaged with by a female police officer, then how can a man touch a female police officer in such a despicable manner?” Bhatia said.
“...It is truly shameful that the leader of the Opposition, Rahul Gandhi, is himself seen inappropriately touching a female police officer.”
Bhatia did not go into the allegations from women protesters and women journalists about molestation and assault by male police officers and pro-government vigilantes.
He showed a video in which Priyanka appears to elbow a police officer and said: “My question is: You pushed a female police officer. Your security detail may have shielded you, but didn’t you feel any sense of shame, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra?”