Rahul Gandhi broke security protocol on several occasions during the Delhi leg of Bharat Jodo Yatra, central paramilitary force CRPF has said in its rebuttal to the Congress charge of breaches in its leader’s security during the December 24 march.
CRPF Statement comes after Congress general secretary KC Venugopal on Wednesday wrote a letter to Union home minister Amit Shah stating that security was compromised on multiple occasions on December 24 when the Bharat Jodo Yatra entered Delhi.
The force has also said that it would be taking up this matter separately.
The party sought proper security for the leader, who enjoys Z+ cover when the Yatra enters the sensitive zones of Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir.
“It is pointed out that on several occasions violations of laid down guidelines on the part of Shri Rahul Gandhi have been observed and this fact has been communicated to him from time to time,” sources mentioned the points in reply by CRPF to Congress National General Secretary KC Venugopal.
Dismissing the allegations, the officials said the security arrangements made for a protectee work fine when the protectee himself adheres to the laid down security guidelines.
“Advisories based on threat assessment have been issued by the MHA to all stakeholders concerned including the state governments. Advance Security Liaison (ASL) is also undertaken for every visit,” said the CRPF.
The paramilitary force said Mr. Gandhi has broken protocol 113 times since 2020. “It may further be mentioned that during the Delhi leg of Bharat Jodo Yatra, the protectee has violated security guidelines and CRPF will be taking up this matter separately,” it added.
Rahul was joined by former party president Sonia Gandhi and sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra last week when the march entered the national capital.
The Congress had yesterday alleged that Delhi Police, which comes under the Home Ministry, had “completely failed in controlling the surging crowd and maintaining a perimeter” around Mr. Gandhi during the march on December 24.
“I request you to take immediate steps to ensure the safety and security of Rahul Gandhi, a Z+ protectee,” the Congress general secretary wrote to Amit Shah.
In the letter, Venugopal also mentioned that two of the party’s two prime ministers – Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi – sacrificed their lives for the unity and integrity of the country.