Ahmedabad, India – Former Congress president Rahul Gandhi condemned the recent violent clashes between workers of the BJP and Congress outside the Gujarat Congress headquarters in Ahmedabad. Gandhi accused the ruling BJP party of inciting violence and spreading hatred, asserting that those who engage in such actions do not understand the fundamental principles of Hinduism. The clashes erupted following remarks made by Gandhi during a discussion in the Lok Sabha, prompting both parties to engage in stone-throwing and confrontations outside the Congress office.
In a social media post, Gandhi criticized the “cowardly and violent attack” on the Gujarat Congress office, reiterating his stance that the BJP and its supporters fail to comprehend the essence of Hinduism. He expressed confidence in the people of Gujarat to see through the lies and deliver a resounding message to the BJP government, emphasizing that India would prevail in the state. Numerous workers and leaders from both political factions were apprehended following the clashes in the Paldi area, with conflicting accounts of who instigated the violence.
While the BJP accused Congress workers of disrupting a peaceful protest, opposition leaders pointed fingers at BJP cadres for instigating the confrontation. Both parties claimed injuries among their members and vowed to file complaints with the police. Television footage captured scenes of violent altercations outside the Congress headquarters, where individuals from opposing sides engaged in physical altercations and stone-throwing amidst police attempts to intervene. Himmatsinh Patel, the working president of the Gujarat Congress, accused BJP workers of launching an unprovoked attack on the Congress office in a display of deteriorating law and order in the state.
The clashes underscored the heightened tensions and political polarization leading up to the elections, with narratives of violence and provocation clouding the discourse between the two major parties. As the situation remains volatile, concerns loom over the potential escalation of hostilities and the implications for the political landscape in Gujarat. With both BJP and Congress supporters adamant in their accusations and assertions, the aftermath of the violent clashes has fueled further animosity and resentment between the rival factions.