Congress alleges coaching centres were threatened to keep students away from Rahul Gandhi's Indore rally, accusing Madhya Pradesh police of politicising the Rajiv Gandhi assassination report.
Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera said the party received reports that several coaching centres in Indore were being threatened to prevent students from attending Rahul Gandhi's scheduled rally. Khera condemned the police for invoking the Verma Commission report on former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi's assassination, calling it an attempt to create fear and silence dissent.
Alleged intimidation of coaching institutes
The Congress party claims that local authorities warned owners of private tutoring centres that they could face action if they allowed students to gather near the venue. According to Khera, the alleged warnings were meant to curb the expected turnout of young voters and students, a demographic that traditionally supports the opposition.
Police response
A senior officer of the Madhya Pradesh Police, who wished to remain unnamed, refuted the accusations, stating, "No official directive has been issued to any coaching centre or educational institution regarding the rally. Law enforcement is focused on maintaining public order, not on restricting lawful assembly." The officer added that any claims of intimidation were "unfounded" and that the police are prepared to ensure the event proceeds peacefully.
Context of the Verma Commission reference
Khera also slammed the police for referencing the Verma Commission’s findings on Rajiv Gandhi’s assassination during a press briefing. He argued that invoking the report was a "political maneuver" designed to intimidate opposition leaders and their supporters.
Political implications
The controversy comes as Rahul Gandhi prepares to address a crowd in Indore, a city where the Congress hopes to regain ground ahead of upcoming state elections. While the party portrays the alleged threats as evidence of a broader crackdown on dissent, the police maintain that all actions are guided by standard security protocols.
Both sides have called for calm, urging citizens to exercise their democratic rights without fear. The rally is set to begin at 7 p.m. on Saturday, with security arrangements being closely monitored by local authorities.
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