Srinivas questioning: Cong says Centre resorting to 'Raid Dharma', BJP hits back

The Congress accused the Modi government of resorting to "raid raaj" after police questioned its youth wing chief Srinivas BV on the distribution of oxygen and medicines to COVID-19 affected, even as the BJP insisted that activists across parties were being questioned due to a court order.

New Delhi: Hours after the Crime Branch of Delhi Police started questioning Indian Youth Congress President Srinivas BV, on Friday, the Congress party accused the BJP-led Central government of resorting to "Raid Dharma" instead of "Raaj Dharma".

Congress General Secretary and Chief Spokesperson Randeep Singh Surjewala termed the entire episode a political conspiracy. While addressing a press conference, he said, "The 'Raid Raaj' of Modi Ji and Amit Shah Ji will no longer be tolerated. Modi government and BJP are completely outraged. Modi Ji never performed Raaj Dharma but he never forgets Raid Dharma."

Read:|Delhi Police questions Youth Congress chief about COVID-19 aid

He further asserted, "Suppress us as much as you can, file cases against us, send police to our offices, we are not going to get scared. This is our resolve and we will remain steadfast on this path of serving our people."

Srinivas had claimed that police came to the Indian Youth Congress headquarters to question him how his team is helping people by distributing oxygen and medicines to COVID-19 affected,

"There is nothing to hide. They just wanted to know how we are helping people. We have shared all the details," the Youth Congress Chief said.

However, in a clarification statement, Delhi Police stated that they were following the direction of Delhi High Court on a writ petition filed by Dr Deepak Singh over politicians involved in the illegal distribution of COVID-19 medicines, etc.

On being asked about his opinion, Surjewala said that no court will give directions to "harass" someone and also questioned if BJP headquarters and RSS leaders will also be raided who are distributing medicines and oxygen cylinders to people.

Several Congress leaders also expressed solidarity with Srinivas through their Tweets and started a hashtag 'IStandWithIYC' in his support.

Congress MP Rahul Gandhi tweeted, "The rescuer is always greater than the one who kills."

Read:|Rescuer always greater than one who kills: Rahul

Congress General Secretary in charge KC Venugopal tweeted, "Why is the Delhi Police questioning IYC President for helping those in need? Is this the reward Youth Congress deserves for its exemplary initiative to help citizens during the pandemic? Why are Modi govt's priorities always skewed?"

Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra tweeted, "If helping someone in need is now a crime, I will commit it again and again. To my mind, it’s a far greater crime to silently watch and do nothing while people die desperately searching for medicine and gasping for air."

Meanwhile, the BJP has insisted that activists across parties were being questioned due to May 4 Delhi High Court order.

The court had directed police to examine instances of politicians allegedly procuring and distributing Remdesivir here and take steps for lodging of FIR in case of an offence.

As Congress questioned the police action, BJP's Amit Malviya said, "Delhi Crime Branch, under a court order, is questioning activists across parties, who were arranging help for people in need, on the source of supplies when citizens, even some hospitals were struggling. Only those with a history of hoarding and bootlegging are complaining."

BJP sources said its MP Gautam Gambhir was also approached by police.

In a tweet, Gambhir said, "Opposition should not indulge in needless politicisation of the due process. Delhi Police has asked for a reply from us and we have provided all details. I will keep serving Delhi and its people to the best of my abilities always!"

(with agency inputs)
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