Congress has written to Union Home Minister and senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Amit Shah over the death threat issued to Rahul Gandhi by one of the saffron party’s spokespersons on live television. Congress has asked the Home Minister to take “immediate and strict” action against BJP spokesperson Pintu Mahadev for issuing a “heinous” death threat to Leader of Opposition, Rahul Gandhi. 

“This is no off-the-cuff remark or hyperbole. This is a cold and calculated death threat to a leader who stands with every Indian in the fight for justice,” the grand-old party said in a post on X, sharing the letter it has sent to Amit Shah.

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In its letter, Congress said Printu Mahadev issued a “chilling death threat” to Rahul Gandhi during a televised debate on News18 Kerala.

“In a brazen act of incitement of violence, Mr. Mahadev openly declared that “Rahul Gandhi will be shot in the chest.” This is neither a slip of the tongue, nor careless hyperbole. It is a cold, calculated and chilling death threat against the Leader of the Opposition and one of India’s foremost political leaders,” the party said.

“That such poisonous words are uttered by an official spokesperson of the ruling party not only places the life of Shri Rahul Gandhi in immediate danger, but also undermines the Constitution, the rule of law, and the basic security assurances owed to every citizen – let alone the Leader of the Opposition,” the letter, written by Congress leader KC Venugopal, further read. 

Congress called the remark a “direct assault on the rule of law, on the Constitution that guarantees safety and security to every citizen and to democracy itself!”

They added that the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), entrusted with the security of Rahul Gandhi, has repeatedly written multiple letters regarding threats to his safety. “Shockingly, one such letter addressed to the Congress President, Shri Mallikarjun Kharge, was leaked to the media under mysterious circumstances, raising serious questions about the intention behind doing so,” the party further said. 

“Do you openly endorse the politics of criminal intimidation, death threats and violence that are poisoning India’s public life?” Congress asked Amit Shah in the letter. 

Congress’ 3 big questions

In the letter, Congress asked if the “naked and open death threat” is just a small part of a larger conspiracy and asked three questions to the BJP and Amit Shah:

1. Is this a larger, sinister conspiracy being hatched against the people’s leader, Rahul Gandhi ji?

2. Does the BJP endorse the politics of criminal intimidation, violence and even death threats?

3. Is the BJP trying to normalise violence against the LoP, a constitutional position, and other Opposition leaders who raise their voice against its misgovernance? 

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What has Congress demanded?

Congress talked about the assassination of Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi, and mentioned that Rahul Gandhi carries the legacy of a family that has “sacrificed immensely for this nation – from Indira Gandhi, assassinated in 1984 while defending national unity, to Rajiv Gandhi, martyred in 1991.”

Putting forth its demand, the party has asked the BJP and Amit Shah to take an immediate and exemplary action against Pintu Mahadev by the state police. Apart from this, the party has sought a categorical condemnation and public apology from the BJP leadership.

The party said if the BJP fails to do so, “the nation will have every reason to believe that PM Modi and HM Amit Shah are complicit in this despicable act.”

“Rahul Gandhi ji’s fearless fight against the RSS-BJP ideology has rattled them. However, no threat or violence will deter him from standing up for the people of India and defending the Constitution. The nation stands united against any intimidation or tyranny,” they added.