The brief detention of Gujarat AAP Chief Gopal Italia created a political stir in the national capital on Thursday. A video of his derogative and casteist remarks on PM Narendra Modi, his mother and women as a whole circulated on social media platforms landing him in trouble, ahead of the assembly election. The National Commission of Women (NCW) earlier summoned Italia for making casteist remarks about the PM.
The NCW detained him for using derogative comments toward women. The NCW Chief Rekha Sharma said that the AAP Chief Gopal Italia didn’t respond properly and denied his presence in the video but he has accepted tweetings. In the notice, the NCW clearly mentioned that his remarks were ‘gender biased, misogynistic and condemnable.’
In the video, Italia can be seen berating PM Modi and making casteist remarks about the Prime Minister. He said Narendra Modi is a “neech” person. He comes to Gujarat for and makes drama here. Italia also made untasteful comments on Prime Minister’s mother.
The AAP workers also created a ruckus outside the NCW office on Thursday. Several AAP leaders came in support and criticised the action taken against him. However, after a few hours, he was released.
NCW chairperson Rekha Sharma alleged that over 100 people came outside her office in support of Italia and threatened her for summoning the Gujarat AAP chief.
Sharma said, “He denied getting a summon but his reply is ready. He also denied his presence in the video but in his reply, he accepts tweeting. He had claimed it wasn’t him in the video.” “His statement and written statement don’t match. He hasn’t given a proper reply. I’ve told the police too that action should be taken against him because he was creating an atmosphere to impact the law and order situation. His supporters attempted to enter (the NCW office) forcefully,” she added.
Taking to Twitter today, the NCW chief shared a photograph and said, “All the Aam Aadmi Party hooligans are outside my office creating a ruckus.”
“I had an important meeting at 2 pm which is now delayed as I couldn’t step outside. If 100-150 people come and threaten me, what kind of a leader are they? He was supposed to come to the NCW office and only answer a few questions,” she stated.
Before his detention, Italia tweeted in Hindi which is roughly translated as “NCW Chief is threatening me to put me into jail. Modi government has always offered jail to the Patidar community. The BJP government hates the Patidar community. I am also a descendant of Sardar Patel and I am not afraid to be jailed. They have called the police and are threatening me.”
Several AAP leaders have commented that since he comes from the Patidar community, he is being targeted. AAP is trying to make inroads into the state ahead of the assembly election. The BJP has a strong hold over the state and is leaving no stone unturned to win the upcoming assembly election.