Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi was today detained by police when he tried to enter Mandsaur in Madhya Pradesh to meet the families of farmers, who were killed in police firing two days ago.
Rahul was at his offensive best when his convoy was stopped and he escaped the security cover by riding a motorcycle to reach the nearest point of Madhya Pradesh border. He later walked for a few kilometres to reach Nayagaon near Mandsaur. While walking through the fields, Gandhi and his Congress supporters braved an attack of bees that got disturbed due to the crowd.
Rahul was accompanied by senior leaders of the party including Digvijaya Singh, Kamalnath, MPCC chief Arun Yadav, leader of opposition Ajay Singh, Rajasthan state Congress leaders and JDU leader Sharad Yadav.
At Nayagaon check post, Rahul was detained by the Madhya Pradesh police, who said that he cannot go further as section 144 has been imposed. He, at this point, wanted to go alone, but was not allowed. He, along with other leaders, was bundled in a riot control van and take to the nearest police station.
While being detained, Rahul told media that he was not allowed to visit the houses of farmers of Uttar Pradesh, and now, again the government is stopping him.
“Which law of land prevents people to meet other countrymen?” he asked. Rahul attacked the RSS and its ideology saying that it does not believe in democracy and that is why they are stopping him.
“It is surprising that two state governments are bent on not allowing me to meet the families of the deceased farmers,” he said. “Is it illegal to stand in solidarity with the farmers, who were killed, simply for demanding what is their right?”
He told media that he is unaware as to why he has been arrested or not being allowed to go meet farmers.
Rahul landed in Udaipur this morning in a chartered aircraft with senior leaders and started his journey towards Madhya Pradesh. Earlier, PCC chief Arun Yadav and leader of opposition Ajay Singh were arrested by Rajasthan police when they were going to Udaipur to receive Rahul Gandhi.
Earlier today, Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Bhupendra Singh admitted that the death of five farmers was because of police firing.
