A man who was chanting slogans in support of Prime Minister Narendra Modi was allegedly slapped and pushed around by a group of people amid the Opposition's protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar in central Delhi on Thursday.
A video of the incident, recorded as news cameras covered the demonstration, showed the man surrounded by a crowd before he was allegedly pushed and repeatedly hit.
The incident took place on the third day of the Opposition's protest over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Pro-Modi slogans trigger confrontation
According to the video, anti-government slogans were being raised as the protest continued when the man began voicing a pro-Modi slogan.
A crowd then gathered around him. The man was pushed around and appeared to be slapped several times as the confrontation unfolded.
The incident occurred in a highly charged atmosphere, with a large number of Opposition protesters gathered in the heart of New Delhi and news cameras present at the spot.
The circumstances leading to the confrontation and the identities of those seen attacking the man were not immediately clear.
BJP accuses Congress workers
The Bharatiya Janata Party reacted sharply to the video, accusing Congress workers of attacking a citizen for raising slogans in support of Modi.
BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari shared the video on X and alleged that Congress workers had surrounded and beaten the man.
“Shame on Congress workers! When a citizen of India raised slogans in favour of PM @narendramodi, Congress workers encircle him and beat him up!” Bhandari wrote.
He further accused the Congress of attacking what he described as “We The People of India”.
“Anarchist Congress is now attacking ‘We The People of India’. The fight is between People of India who want to save Democracy & Anarchist Congress!” he added.
The allegations came as the BJP and Congress continued to trade accusations over the Opposition's protests against the Election Commission.
Three FIRs registered over protest
Separately, Delhi Police said on Thursday that three FIRs had been registered in connection with Wednesday's Opposition protest, with more cases also being registered.
The cases relate to allegations including assault on police personnel, obstruction of government work, pushing and manhandling, and misbehaviour with police personnel.
The names of Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also figure in the details of the FIRs registered so far, according to Delhi Police.
The police action followed dramatic scenes during Wednesday's protest, when Opposition leaders attempted to proceed towards Jantar Mantar after gathering for lunch. Several senior leaders were detained after police stopped them.
The continuing protests have intensified the political confrontation over the SIR exercise and the functioning of the Election Commission, with the Opposition demanding accountability from Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.