All these things just to be in headlines: Nadda criticises Rahul Gandhi for dharna outside police station

New Delhi, Aug 21 (IANS) Union Minister J.P. Nadda on Friday criticised Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi over his dharna outside the office of the Deputy Commissioner of Police at Parliament Street Police Station seeking an FIR in the alleged use of pellet guns by Delhi Police during the July 20 students' stir, alleging that the Congress leader was staging such protests merely to remain in the headlines.

LoP Rahul Gandhi continued his dharna that began mid-morning outside the DCP's office, protesting the alleged refusal of the Delhi Police to register an FIR over the pellet-gun injury to a student during last month's protests over NEET paper leaks at Jantar Mantar.

Addressing reporters, Nadda described LoP Rahul Gandhi's protest as "cheap and diversionary politics".

"Today, the entire country is once again witnessing Rahul Gandhi's cheap and diversionary politics, as demonstrated by his protest outside Parliament Street Police Station. Everyone has seen it. Rahul Gandhi's dharna today is neither for the students nor for justice. It is a symbol of the Congress party's political frustration and Rahul Gandhi's hunger for footage," Nadda claimed.

He said that the Supreme Court had already taken cognisance of the July 20 incident and constituted a five-member high-powered committee under the chairmanship of a former judge to examine the matter.

"When the country's highest court is investigating the matter, what is Rahul Gandhi trying to prove by sitting outside a police station in front of cameras? Does the Leader of the Opposition not have faith in the country's judiciary?" Nadda asked.

The Union Minister alleged that LoP Rahul Gandhi was attempting to create an issue simply to attract media attention.

"The truth is that Rahul Gandhi creates all these things to be in headlines. When Rahul Gandhi reached the DCP office today, he was informed that the police were investigating all matters related to the Jantar Mantar protest. The DCP also assured him that the issues raised by him were being investigated," he said.

"Despite all this, he is sitting on a dharna. This shows his stubbornness and frustration. This shows that he does not want to deliver justice to anyone; he just wants to create an uproar," Nadda added.

The BJP President further questioned the timing of LoP Rahul Gandhi's protest and alleged that the Congress was attempting to divert attention from other controversies.

"If we look at the timing of this entire drama, we will notice that today the Congress party is surrounded from all sides on the issue of 'Vande Mataram'," he said.

"The public is demanding answers from the Congress over the insult to the national song. A senior Congress leader has been seen cutting a Tricolour-themed cake. To hide this anti-national face and divert attention from the embarrassment, Rahul Gandhi has hastily created this new diversionary drama," Nadda alleged.

Meanwhile, LoP Rahul Gandhi continued his sit-in outside the office of the DCP at Delhi's Parliament Street Police Station, protesting the alleged refusal of the police to register an FIR on a complaint by a student who allegedly suffered pellet-gun injuries during last month's protests demanding education reforms at Jantar Mantar. Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also joined LoP Rahul Gandhi during the dharna.

--IANS

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