Congress objects as Indore police's security conditions mention Verma Commission report

A security directive for Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s student outreach programme in Indore has triggered a political row after Madhya Pradesh Police cited the Verma Commission report into the security lapses surrounding former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi’s 1991 assassination while outlining the responsibilities of event organisers.

The directive, issued ahead of Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Chhatron ki Goonj’ interaction with students on Saturday, places joint responsibility on organisers and police for crowd management and the regulation of entry and exit points at the venue. The Congress objected sharply to the reference to the assassination of Gandhi’s father, alleging that the BJP government was using security requirements to create hurdles for the programme. The BJP rejected the charge, saying the provisions were intended to prevent security lapses at an event involving a Z-plus protectee.

1991 report cited

According to the Congress, the security conditions document states that the Verma Commission had examined in detail the role of organisers and local political activists in ensuring security at public events.

The document further refers to the Commission’s findings on the circumstances surrounding the Sriperumbudur incident of May 21, 1991, saying the organisers’ “irresponsible attitude” had been identified as a primary factor behind the security breakdown.

Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated by a suicide bomber at an election rally at Sriperumbudur in Tamil Nadu on May 21, 1991. The Justice J S Verma Commission was subsequently constituted to examine the security arrangements and lapses connected with the assassination.

Police officials said the Commission’s report had been cited only as a reference for defining the responsibilities of organisers during high-security political programmes.

Congress questions reference

Madhya Pradesh Congress president Jitu Patwari objected to the inclusion of the assassination in the security document, claiming this was the first time such a reference had been made while granting permission for a Congress event.

“First, the government withdrew Rahul Gandhi’s SPG security, and now his father’s assassination is being cited while granting permission for his event,” Patwari said.

The SPG cover of the Gandhi family was withdrawn by the Centre in 2019, after which Rahul Gandhi was provided security by the Central Reserve Police Force.

Patwari accused the BJP government of misusing administrative powers to put obstacles in the way of Gandhi’s programme and questioned the necessity of referring specifically to the circumstances of his father’s assassination while laying down routine crowd-control conditions.

The Congress has positioned Saturday’s event as a major outreach to students and young people, with Gandhi expected to interact with them on issues including education, examinations, employment and opportunities for the younger generation.

BJP rejects charge

The BJP dismissed the Congress allegations and said the security requirements had been drawn up to protect Gandhi and those attending the programme.

State BJP spokesperson Rakesh Singh Yadav claimed the Congress had not provided accurate information to the police and district administration about the expected attendance and other organisational details.

“The Verma Commission report has been cited to ensure foolproof arrangements for Rahul Gandhi’s event. Otherwise, if any untoward incident happens, the Congress will immediately blame the government,” Yadav said.

The BJP maintained that the directive should be viewed as a security precaution rather than a political intervention.

1,500 volunteers required

Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police Rajesh Dandotiya said Gandhi enjoys Z-plus security and police officers were holding meetings with the organisers to coordinate arrangements for Saturday’s programme.

“The document cites the Verma Commission report as a reference, which outlines the responsibilities of organisers of such events,” Dandotiya said.

According to the conditions cited by the Congress, organisers have been asked to deploy at least 1,500 volunteers, including a minimum of 500 women, to assist with crowd management. Police will also have the authority to restrict entry if attendance exceeds the approved capacity of the venue.

The organisers and police will share responsibility for managing entry and exit points, an area considered particularly important at large gatherings involving protected political leaders.

Curbs on provocative material

The security conditions also prohibit objectionable or provocative pictures, banners, posters and hoardings at the venue. Speakers have been asked to refrain from inflammatory or derogatory remarks against any religion, caste, community or political or non-political organisation that could hurt religious sentiments.

The controversy comes a day before Gandhi’s programme and amid increasing political focus on young voters in Madhya Pradesh. His ‘Chhatron ki Goonj’ event is centred on an interaction with students rather than a conventional political rally.

While police maintain that the conditions are intended to define responsibilities and strengthen security, the unusual reference to the inquiry into Rajiv Gandhi’s assassination has ensured that the arrangements themselves have become a political flashpoint ahead of Saturday’s event.