New Delhi: Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Shri Rahul Gandhi, addressed the media today alongside several protesters who alleged they were subjected to severe police brutality while participating in peaceful demonstrations in the national capital.
Gandhi invited the protesters to narrate their experiences. Samarth, who said he had joined the protest from October 4, stated that he and Dharmendra were detained on the morning of October 5 and taken to Parliament Street police station. He alleged that 15 to 20 policemen, including some in civil clothes, one identified as Wahab Singh Tomar, assaulted them. He further claimed that Constable Ankit Kasana and others continued to beat them throughout the journey from Parliament Street to Delhi Cantonment. When one of them felt nauseous, he was allegedly told to vomit inside his bag.
Dharmendra recounted that policemen taunted them, saying their presence had disrupted the force’s sleep and meals, increased duty hours, and prevented officers from spending time with their children. He claimed officers used abusive language, including references to “Delhi Police being their papa,” and repeatedly assaulted them with kicks, punches and slaps. Dharmendra, who said he is out on bail from Tihar Jail and has been wearing a mask for six days due to conditions of his bail, stated that he was initially terrified but now feels prepared to face even greater risks and will continue protesting.
Ramit, a content creator, alleged that he was brutally detained on October 11 despite a Supreme Court observation against the illegal detention of peaceful protesters. He claimed the action followed complaints by individuals he identified as Bajrang Dal and RSS members who were carrying sticks and stones and threatening demonstrators. He stated that police seized and, in some cases, formatted mobile phones of detainees, and that at least 15 women were held in a detention bus without any female officer present. Displaying a flute, he played the tune of “Vaishnav Jan To Tene Kahiye” and said hatred would be answered with love.
Ritu Barala, described by Gandhi as having become known online as “Sherni,” alleged that while NSUI activists were protesting peacefully at Connaught Place and were being detained in buses, a woman constable identified as Chanchal Yadav choked her, scratched her face and ear with nails, slapped her, pulled her hair and kicked her in the private parts and abdomen. She claimed she was later taken to room number 107 at the police station, where several women in civil clothes, including Chanchal Yadav, beat her with sticks and punches. She further alleged that she was dragged down stairs and struck repeatedly on her legs, leaving visible marks, while officers mocked her leadership.
The protesters maintained that their demonstrations were peaceful and that the alleged assaults occurred after detention. Gandhi listened as they recounted the incidents and their determination to continue protesting.