Rahul Gandhi Asked Not To Hold Padyatra In Morigaon After Being Denied Entry Into Assam Shrine  

The Morigaon district commissioner cited law and order situation as he asked Rahul Gandhi to refrain from holding the padyatra and meetings.

Rhahul Gandhi during Padyatra in Assam

Source : PTI

New Delhi: Rahul Gandhi is currently leading the 'Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra' with an aim to connect with the common people. However, the Morigaon district commissioner asked the Congress leader to refrain from holding a street-corner meeting and a padyatra as miscreants may try to disrupt peace and tranquility in the district, news agency PTI reported. The district administration took the decision on the basis of intelligence inputs.

PTI cited a letter by district commissioner Devashi to district Congress functionaries, which states, "It apprehends the involvement of miscreants who may try to disrupt the peace and tranquility of the district by indulging in anti-social activities taking advantage of two major events happening on the same day —The Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra and the Ram Lalla Pran Pratistha — simultaneously''.

''In the interest of Rahul Gandhi's safety and security, who is a 'Z' plus Advance Security Liasoning (ASL) protectee along with our responsibility to avert any probable law and order disruption in Morigaon district, we request that the party refrains from proposed street corner meeting at Bihutoli police point and padyatra from the Srimanta Sankardeva Chowk in Morigaon town'', the letter further stated.

The DC also noted, "In the interest of the Congress leader's safety and security, we would like to request you not to stop his vehicle or carcade during his roadshow at Morigaon district till he reaches the Golsepa alighting point for lunch and rest''.

"This negates all earlier permissions accorded by the district administration for holding any public meeting/padyatra in Morigaon district in connection with the Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra on January 22'', the letter added.

According to PTI, Rahul Gandhi was barred from visiting the birthplace of iconic Vaishnav saint Srimanta Sankardeva earlier in the day on the ground that a law and order problem may arise during his visit as many organisations were planning to hold events related to the consecration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya.

The managing committee of the Sri Sankardeva Sattra on Sunday had announced that they will not allow the Congress leader to visit the shrine before 3pm on January 22.

Gandhi was stopped at Haibargaon while en route to the Sattra after which he, along with senior Congress leaders and supporters, sat on a dharna while party MP Gaurav Gogoi and Batadrava MLA Sibamoni Bora proceeded to the birthplace and offered prayers on his behalf, reported PTI.

While talking to reporters, Gandhi said he believes in the philosophy of Sankardeva. He went on saying, ''We, like him, believe in bringing people together and not spreading hatred. He is like a guru to us and gives us direction. So I had thought when I came to Assam, I should offer my respects to him''.

"I don't know, there may be some reason but I will go to Batadrava when I get an opportunity. It is my belief that both Assam and the entire nation should follow the path shown by Sankardeva'', PTI quoted Gandhi as saying.