‘Not Taking Security Seriously’: CRPF Flags Rahul Gandhi Over Z+ Protocol Breaches Abroad; Cong, BJP Trade Charges
This includes trips to Italy, Vietnam, Dubai, Qatar, London, and Malaysia. The CRPF has earlier cited past violations during the Bharat Jodo Yatra, despite Gandhi having Z+ security.
The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has flagged that the Leader of Opposition, Rahul Gandhi, violated security protocols during his visits abroad.
In a letter addressed to Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday, CRPF VVIP Security Chief Sunil June alleged that the Congress leader was not taking his security cover "seriously", adding that he travelled abroad "without informing anyone".
The official referred to Gandhi's trips to Italy (December 30 to January 9), Vietnam (March 12 to 17), Dubai (April 17 to 23), Qatar (June 11 to 18), London (June 25 to July 6), and Malaysia (September 4 to 8).
The CRPF security chief alleged that Gandhi is violating the protocols mentioned in the Yellow Book of the CRPF, according to an NDTV report.
Top Category Security
The Raebareli MP currently enjoys Z+ category of security with Advanced Security Liaison (ASL), which is the highest level of protection. This security cover is provided to individuals facing significant threat perception and includes roughly 55 security personnel, including National Security Guard commandos.
Under ASL, early reconnaissance of a place is conducted by security personnel of the place to be visited by the VIP in coordination with the local police and intelligence units.
Congress, BJP Trade Charge
Reacting to the development, the Congress party raised questions over the timing of the communication and questioned if it was a "veiled attempt" to intimidate its leader after he announced "another imminent disclosure" on "vote chori".
Congress's media and publicity department head, Pawan Khera, said in a post on X, "The timing of the CRPF's letter and its instant public release raises disturbing questions. It comes just as Shri Rahul Gandhi is leading the charge against the BJP's Vote Chori carried out with the Election Commission's complicity."
However, the Bharatiya Janata Party questioned Gandhi's intent for not complying with the security protocol.
"If Rahul Gandhi repeatedly violates security protocol during foreign visits, then some questions arise. What is it during foreign visits that he doesn't trust his own security and breaks protocols? Is some content coming from there? Is something being done in secrecy? He feels more safer in foreign nations," said the party's national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla.
"If something happens tomorrow, will the security agencies be blamed? Congress should ask him what secret meetings he conducts on foreign visits that he violates security?" he questioned.
Not The First Time
This is not the first time that the paramilitary force has raised concerns over Gandhi's violation of security protocols. In 2022, the CRPF alleged that the Congress leader violated security guidelines on 113 occasions since 2020, including the Delhi leg of his Bharat Jodo Yatra.
In 2023, the party alleged security lapses during the Kashmir leg of the Yatra as Gandhi was greeted by a huge, unexpected crowd when he entered the Valley. He was stuck in the middle of a crowd and couldn't move for about 30 minutes, according to his party colleagues.
Recently, the Congress party wrote to Union Minister Amit Shah alleging "security breaches" in the Bharat Jodo Yatra when it entered the national capital on December 24.
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