Rahul Gandhi Stands Firm After Patna Violence

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi issued a defiant response on Friday after violent clashes between Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers in Patna, triggered by a video showing Congress supporters using abusive language against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his late mother, Heeraben Modi. The incident, occurring during the ongoing ‘Voter Adhikar Yatra’ in Bihar, escalated political tensions ahead of the 2025 Assembly elections.

In a Hindi post on X, Gandhi wrote, “Truth and non-violence will prevail... untruth and violence cannot stand before them. Beat us, break us, but we will protect truth and the Constitution. Satyameva Jayate.” The clashes unfolded outside the Congress headquarters at Sadaqat Ashram, where BJP workers, waving saffron flags, stormed the compound, vandalizing property and clashing with Congress supporters. Visuals showed chaos, with a BJP worker in saffron hitting a lorry with a lathi as others cheered. Police struggled to control the mob, with minor injuries reported.

The controversy stemmed from a Wednesday rally in Darbhanga, part of the yatra, where Congress worker Mohammad Rizvi alias Raja, linked to local leader Naushad Alam, was filmed chanting derogatory slogans against Modi. Darbhanga Police arrested Rizvi on Friday, filing an FIR under Simri station. A case was also lodged against Gandhi following a BJP complaint. Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera alleged BJP “agents” infiltrated the event to sabotage it, diverting attention from the yatra’s focus on voter rights. Naushad apologized, clarifying the remarks were made after Gandhi and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav left.

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BJP leaders, including Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Bihar Minister Nitin Nabin, condemned the remarks as a “stain on democracy.” Shah accused the Gandhi family of fueling hatred against Modi, while Nabin promised a “befitting reply.” The BJP-JDU alliance accused Congress of shielding “fake voters,” citing foreign nationals on voter lists. Congress countered, alleging Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s involvement in the Patna violence.

The Voter Adhikar Yatra, launched on August 17 to protest the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) that removed 65 lakh voters for reasons like death or relocation, has intensified the political divide. Congress and allies, including Yadav, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and Tamil Nadu CM M.K. Stalin, claim the SIR targets marginalized voters to suppress opposition support. The BJP denies collusion, while the Supreme Court is hearing challenges to the SIR. The yatra is set to culminate in Patna on September 1.

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