Tarun Karthick
Port Blair, 18 September 2024
In a significant display of unity, the Andaman Nicobar & Territorial Congress Committee (ANTCC) staged a protest at Bambooflat Jetty, South Andaman, on Monday. The demonstration was held in response to the alleged derogatory remarks made by BJP Union Minister Mr. Ravneet Singh Bittu, who recently referred to the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Rahul Gandhi, as a “No. 1 Terrorist.”
The protest, organized under the direction of the All India Congress Committee (AICC), was led by ANTCC President Mr. Rangalal Halder and Campaign Committee Chairman Mr. TSG Bhasker. Hundreds of Congress leaders, workers, and supporters gathered at the jetty to express their outrage and demand an immediate apology from the BJP leader.
Addressing the crowd, Mr. Rangalal Halder criticized the minister’s comments, calling them an attack on political decency and the values of democracy. He argued that such statements only highlight the desperation of the BJP in the face of Rahul Gandhi’s growing popularity and influence. “These remarks are not just an insult to an individual, but to the entire fabric of Indian democracy,” Halder said, urging people to reject the politics of hate and division.
Ms. Zubaida Begum, Mahila Coordinator for South Andaman, also addressed the gathering. She stressed the importance of preserving the dignity of national leaders and condemned the language used against Gandhi. “Such derogatory language reflects the increasing frustration within the BJP as Rahul Gandhi continues to stand firm against their policies,” she remarked.
Ms V.K Mariyam Bibi, Mahila Coordinator for North & Middle Andaman, echoed similar sentiments. She called for a public apology from Shri Bittu, reaffirming the party’s support for Gandhi and denouncing the offensive comments.
The protest saw the participation of several prominent Congress leaders, including senior leaders, Mahila leaders, and members of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRI). The crowd, holding banners and chanting slogans, demanded that the BJP uphold the values of political discourse and issue an unconditional apology.
The protest marks the latest in a series of responses from Congress supporters across the country, who have condemned the minister’s remarks as an attempt to malign one of the party’s key leaders.
The ANTCC has vowed to continue its campaign until an apology is issued and has called for national attention to be drawn to the growing misuse of political rhetoric in India.