New Delhi: In an apparent security breach, a man rushed and tried to hug Congress leader Rahul Gandhi during the ongoing Bharat Jodo Yatra in Punjab's Hoshiarpur on Tuesday, before being pulled away by the party workers.
However, Gandhi while talking to the media in Hoshiarpur said, "I could see a person who came to hug me, I don't know why you are calling it a lapse. There is a lot of enthusiasm in this Yatra and it happens. Security people checked him & he was just excited."
A video of the incident showed a man in a yellow jacket coming toward Rahul Gandhi and trying to hug him.
Punjab Congress chief, Amarinder Singh Raja also refuted the claim of a security breach. "There was no security breach, people just want to meet Rahul Gandhi & he welcomes them, the man came near him after the security check and was very excited to meet Rahul Gandhi so suddenly hugged him," Raja told ANI.
Inspector General of Police GS Dhillon said Gandhi had himself called the man and there was no security breach.
"I have verified it. Rahul ji himself called him (the man) and then he tried to hug him (the Congress MP). After that (Amrinder Singh) Raja warring pushed him away as the yatra moves at a certain speed and it affects its movement," Dhillon said, adding there was nothing to suggest that it was a security breach.
This comes days after Congress allegedly complained of a security breach during the Delhi leg of the Bharat Jodo Yatra. The Congress wrote to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, alleging "security breaches" during the 'Bharat Jodo Yatra' in the national capital and demanded immediate steps to ensure the security of Rahul Gandhi and others taking part in the yatra.
Responding to the security breach claim of the party, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) alleged that Congress MP Rahul Gandhi violated the security guidelines, during his Bharat Jodo Yatra.
The CRPF said in a statement said, “Violations of laid down guidelines on the part of Rahul Gandhi have been observed on several occasions and this fact has been communicated to him from time to time.”
“Delhi leg of Bharat Jodo Padyatra for 24th December ASL involving all stakeholders was conducted on Dec 22. All security guidelines have been strictly followed and Delhi Police has informed that sufficient deployment of security personnel was made,” it added.
The central police also pointed out that the Congress MP has violated security guidelines 113 times since 2020 and the same has been communicated to him.
“Since 2020, there have been 113 violations observed and duly communicated. It may further be mentioned that during the Delhi leg of Bharat Jodo Yatra, the protectee has violated security guidelines and CRPF will be taking up this matter separately,” it said.