J-K: Rahul Gandhi blames ‘security lapse by administration on cancelling Yatra

Congress MP Rahul Gandhi blamed alleged security lapse for cancelling his Bharat Jodo Yatra in Jammu and Kashmir. “This morning during the Bharat Jodo Yatra, unfortunately, the police arrangement completely collapsed and the police who were supposed to manage the crowd was nowhere to be seen. My security people were very uncomfortable with me walking further on the yatra so I had to cancel my walk. Other yatris did the walk,” Rahul Gandhi said addressing a press conference in Jammu and Kashmir’s Anantnag. 

“I think it is important the police manage the crowd so that we can do the yatra. It’s very difficult for me to go against what my security people are recommending.”
“I don’t know why it happened but it should not happen tomorrow and the day after tomorrow,” he further said.

Rahul Gandhi promised that the Yatra will continue despite the security lapses by the J-K administration.

Meanwhile, the party’s national spokesperson Jairam Ramesh tweeted, “Politics has its place but by playing with the security of Rahul Gandhi in the Kashmir valley, the government has stooped to its lowest level. India has already lost Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi, any government or administration should desist from doing politics on such matters.”

Rajani Patil, the Congresswoman in charge of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, had already complained about security issues during the Bharat Jodo Yatra organised by Rahul Gandhi and accused the administration of the Union Territory of failing to control the gathering.

“J&K UT Administration failed to provide security to #BharatJodoYatra led by Shri @RahulGandhi. Security lapses indicate unfair & unprepared attitude of UT administration. @OfficeOfLGJandK,” Rajani Patil said in a tweet along with a picture from the spot.

“The security has been mishandled by concerned agencies here. For 15 mins, there have been no security officers with the Bharat Jodo Yatra here. This is a serious lapse. Rahul Gandhi and other yatris cannot walk without security,” All India Congress Committee (AICC) General Secretary KC Venugopal said speaking to media persons.

“The sudden withdrawal of security personnel from the D-area has caused a serious security breach at the Bharat Jodo Yatra at Banihal, Kashmir. Who ordered this? The authorities responsible must answer for this lapse and take appropriate steps to prevent such incidents in future,” Venugopal tweeted.