'Culpable or incapable?' BJP targets Rahul Gandhi over Jharkhand lathicharge row

The BJP on Tuesday accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of either being “culpable” or “incapable” of acting against the Jharkhand government over alleged police action against protesting job aspirants.

The party also accused Gandhi of “running away” from a debate in Parliament on the student protests in Jharkhand, where the Congress is part of the ruling alliance.

NDA MPs staged a protest outside Parliament against the alleged police action and Gandhi’s stand on the issue. The MPs marched from the Parliament Library towards Makar Dwar, raising slogans including “Rahul Gandhi Jawab Do” and “Rahul Gandhi Bhago Mat”.

Sambit Patra demands Rahul Gandhi’s response

BJP national spokesperson and MP Sambit Patra questioned Gandhi’s position on the alleged police action and asked who should be held accountable.

“Rahul Gandhi, isn't your party a part of the Jharkhand government? Is it not a fact that barbaric scenes were witnessed in Jharkhand on Monday? The way lathis were used on children, the way students and girl students were mistreated and the way the police showed brutality against them; who is accountable for this?” Patra asked.

He demanded that Gandhi either take responsibility or withdraw Congress support from the Jharkhand government.

“If this happened on your orders, then you are culpable; If it did not, then you are not capable. In both cases, you should take cognisance of it. You should come before the media and say whether you are culpable or incapable; say that for this reason you are taking your people out of the Jharkhand government and withdrawing support. Do you have the courage to do this?” the BJP leader asked.

BJP attacks Gandhi over Parliament standoff

Patra also accused Gandhi and the Congress of changing their position on the proposed Parliament debate on student protests.

He said Home Minister Amit Shah was ready to respond after parliamentary affairs minister Kiren Rijiju indicated that the government was prepared for a discussion.

BJP spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi said Gandhi should listen to the government's response and visit Ranchi.

“When the home minister is ready to give a reply, Rahul Gandhi is not ready to listen. I would say Gandhi's position is like that of a stubborn child who is not ready to listen to anything,” Trivedi said.

BJP leaders demand action in Jharkhand

BJP MP Anurag Thakur demanded justice for students protesting over alleged recruitment irregularities, while Nishikant Dubey asked Congress to withdraw support from the Jharkhand government if it was serious about the issue.

BJP leader Ravi Shankar Prasad accused Gandhi of “double standards”, while Kangana Ranaut demanded answers over the alleged use of force.

Clash near Jharkhand Assembly

Several protesters and four policemen were injured during clashes near the Jharkhand Assembly on Monday, officials said. Police used water cannons, tear gas and lathi charge after protesters breached multiple barricades while demonstrating against alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations.