Snooping on Rahul or overreaction? Cong locks horns with BJP, Delhi police
Snooping on Rahul or overreaction? Cong locks horns with BJP, Delhi police, The Congress was on Saturday angry over the visit of Delhi police officials to the party office in Delhi, seeking details of Rahul Gandhi's physical appearance.
The party condemned Delhi Police's "unnecessary and weird enquiries" about Rahul and termed it "political espionage".
"This kind of political espionage, snooping, surveillance and intrusion in political opponent's life may be Gujarat model but not Indian model," party spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi said, referring to the oft-quoted Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Gujarat model of development.
The Delhi Police has refuted the allegations, saying it was a routine visit as part of a security audit and no personal questions were asked.
"Our police officers didn't go there with malafide motive, it was a routine activity... Policemen left proforma with staff at Rahul Gandhi's house," Delhi Police Commissioner BS Bassi said.
According to reports, the police visited the Congress office last week and asked about party Vice President Rahul Gandhi's physical appearance - his height, colour of eyes and hair.
The police have denied asking for details about Gandhi's appearance and called it a routine enquiry.
Police said such surveys are conducted at all protected persons' offices from time to time and no personal questions were asked.
The Congress, agitated over Delhi Police's 'intrusive' visit to the party office, has demanded a statement from the government on the issue.
"A few days ago, an ASI from Delhi police HQ was found snooping, making unnecessary and weird remarks", Singhvi said.
"This policeman made weird inquiries about Rahul Gandhi's height, his dress, colour of eyes and all the numbers of his associates", Singhvi added.
Targeting the central government, Singhvi said: "India is a proud democracy, not a police state. We are a vibrant democracy. This kind of political espionage is condemnable."
The Congress demanded an explanation from the home minister or the prime minister.
"We demand a detailed explanation from no less than the home minister and Prime Minister because this issue has far reaching implications and cuts through to the very roots of democracy", Singhvi said, calling the actions reminiscent of a 'police state' and anti-democratic. He also said that this was the 'Gujarat model' in action.
The Congress spokesman said that they did not buy the Delhi police version of events, and said that they were protesting because this was a larger issue of national security.
The Congress is planning to raise the issue in Parliament, Singhvi added. "We will be taking up this issue in parliament," he added.
The police also said this was an exercise done for all members of Parliament on a regular basis.
"Police also visited the houses of LK Advani and Veerappa Moily," Mr Bassi said.
The party condemned Delhi Police's "unnecessary and weird enquiries" about Rahul and termed it "political espionage".
"This kind of political espionage, snooping, surveillance and intrusion in political opponent's life may be Gujarat model but not Indian model," party spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi said, referring to the oft-quoted Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Gujarat model of development.
The Delhi Police has refuted the allegations, saying it was a routine visit as part of a security audit and no personal questions were asked.
"Our police officers didn't go there with malafide motive, it was a routine activity... Policemen left proforma with staff at Rahul Gandhi's house," Delhi Police Commissioner BS Bassi said.
According to reports, the police visited the Congress office last week and asked about party Vice President Rahul Gandhi's physical appearance - his height, colour of eyes and hair.
The police have denied asking for details about Gandhi's appearance and called it a routine enquiry.
Police said such surveys are conducted at all protected persons' offices from time to time and no personal questions were asked.
The Congress, agitated over Delhi Police's 'intrusive' visit to the party office, has demanded a statement from the government on the issue.
"A few days ago, an ASI from Delhi police HQ was found snooping, making unnecessary and weird remarks", Singhvi said.
"This policeman made weird inquiries about Rahul Gandhi's height, his dress, colour of eyes and all the numbers of his associates", Singhvi added.
Targeting the central government, Singhvi said: "India is a proud democracy, not a police state. We are a vibrant democracy. This kind of political espionage is condemnable."
The Congress demanded an explanation from the home minister or the prime minister.
"We demand a detailed explanation from no less than the home minister and Prime Minister because this issue has far reaching implications and cuts through to the very roots of democracy", Singhvi said, calling the actions reminiscent of a 'police state' and anti-democratic. He also said that this was the 'Gujarat model' in action.
The Congress spokesman said that they did not buy the Delhi police version of events, and said that they were protesting because this was a larger issue of national security.
The Congress is planning to raise the issue in Parliament, Singhvi added. "We will be taking up this issue in parliament," he added.
The police also said this was an exercise done for all members of Parliament on a regular basis.
"Police also visited the houses of LK Advani and Veerappa Moily," Mr Bassi said.