'Will be shot': Ex-ABVP leader's death threat to Rahul Gandhi
What's the story
Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal has written a letter to Home Minister Amit Shah, seeking action against Printu Mahadev, a former state president of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP). According to Venugopal, Mahadev allegedly said that Rahul Gandhi "will be shot in the chest" during a televised debate on a Malayalam channel. Venugopal described the threat as "chilling and heinous," saying it was a calculated attack on the Leader of Opposition and one of India's foremost political leaders.
Security fears
Threat part of larger conspiracy to normalize violence against Gandhi
Venugopal also raised concerns over the Central Reserve Police Force's (CRPF) letters regarding threats to Gandhi's safety. He said one letter was leaked to the media, raising questions about its intention. The Congress leader alleged that Mahadev's threat is part of a larger conspiracy to normalize violence against Gandhi. He asked Shah if his party endorses such politics of criminal intimidation and violence. "It is now your responsibility to clarify what your party and the government stands for," he said.
Rising threats
Threat to Gandhi an attack on democracy: Venugopal
Venugopal stressed that Gandhi represents India's pluralistic ethos, and his safety is paramount. "This threat is not just a careless outburst of a petty functionary; it is symptomatic of a deliberately cultivated, toxic atmosphere of hate that renders the LoP vulnerable to mindless violence," he said. Pawan Khera, head of Congress's media, also spoke out against the threats. "The letter written on Rahul Ji's security....to Kharge and the deliberate leakage of its contents make it smack of conspiracy," he said.
Criticism voiced
Congress demands swift legal action
VD Satheesan, Leader of Opposition in the Kerala Assembly, also slammed the state government, which is a CPM-led Left Democratic Front regime, for not taking action against Mahadev. He said this inaction sends a wrong message about safety and security. The Congress party is now demanding swift legal action to ensure justice is served promptly and visibly.