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Journalism of Courage
The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has responded to the Congress’s allegations on Rahul Gandhi’s security by stating that it made complete security arrangements for the Bharat Jodo Yatra’s Delhi leg and that Gandhi himself had violated protocol 113 times over the last two years, a CRPF source said.
On Wednesday, Congress General Secretary (Organisation) K C Venugopal wrote to Union Home Minister Amit Shah alleging significant security breaches in the Bharat Jodo Yatra in the national capital last week. He also blamed the Delhi Police for failing “to maintain a perimeter around Gandhi”.
A senior Delhi Police officer said, “As per the arrangements made by us, there were no lapses or issues. There was overcrowding yet we managed it for the entire Delhi yatra. Security of Rahul and Sonia Gandhi was under CRPF. We don’t look into it. The arrangements made for security and for traffic were planned and executed perfectly.” Delhi Police spokesperson Kumar Gyanesh declined to comment on the Congress allegation.
Hours after the Congress letter to Shah, the CRPF wrote to Venugopal. “In their letter, the CRPF has informed the Congress that the security arrangements have been fully made for Rahul Gandhi as per the guidelines,” the source cited above said.
Explaining the details regarding the Delhi leg of the Bharat Jodo Padyatra on December 24, the CRPF told Congress that an advance security liaison involving all stakeholders was conducted on December 22 and all security guidelines were strictly followed, the source said. The CRPF said Delhi Police has informed it that sufficient personnel were deployed.
“Security arrangements made for the protectee works fine when the protectee himself adheres to the security guidelines laid down. However, it has been observed on several occasions that violations – as per the guidelines – were made on the part of Rahul Gandhi and this fact has been communicated to him from time to time. Since 2020, there have been 113 violations observed and duly communicated. During (the) Delhi leg of Bharat Jodo Yatra, the protectee (Rahul Gandhi) has violated security guidelines,” the source said, quoting the CRPF letter.
