BJP and Congress Cadres Clash in Multiple Cities Across India
On Wednesday, parallel protests by workers of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Indian National Congress led to clashes in several cities across the country. The BJP protests were against the Congress-led demonstration near the Prime Minister's residence in Delhi on Tuesday, while the Congress protests were against the detention of their leader Rahul Gandhi and police action during a march towards Parliament on Monday.
In Patna, workers from both parties came to blows when BJP cadres took out a procession accusing the Congress of unleashing anarchy. Congress workers armed with bamboo sticks confronted the BJP procession, leading to a clash. Several persons from both sides were seen bleeding, but no official figures on injuries or detentions were released.
In Jammu, BJP and Congress workers faced off at Shaheedi Chowk, prompting police to deploy large forces and erect barricades to prevent confrontation. Police formed a security cordon and kept rival groups apart with barbed wire as both sides raised slogans in proximity to each other.
In Hyderabad, a woman police constable and a civilian were injured in violent clashes between BJP and Congress cadres near the saffron party's state headquarters. The confrontation began when police intercepted Congress workers marching towards the BJP office in response to an attempt by BJP leaders to march towards the state Congress office. Tensions escalated as BJP cadres brandished sticks, and both sides attacked each other with sticks and stones. Police dispersed the crowd using mild force. A journalist of a local TV channel suffered head injuries, while the constable sustained minor leg injuries. Workers from both parties were taken into preventive custody.
In Vijayawada, Congress workers protested against Rahul Gandhi's detention, while BJP workers held a rival protest, triggering tension. Both parties accused each other of violence and provocation.
In Karnataka, BJP took out a counter-protest march towards the Congress office after the ruling party staged a demonstration near the BJP headquarters. BJP leaders and workers were blocked and taken into preventive custody before reaching their destination.
In Kerala, BJP workers marched towards the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) office, accusing the Congress of exploiting student protests over the NEET paper leak for political gains. The march, led by state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar, was attended by senior leaders including MLAs. Tension prevailed when protesters tried to move forward by jumping over barricades. Police fired several rounds of water cannon to disperse them.
