Jharkhand News: Show cause notice issued to Congress leader over assaulting journalists

SUBHASH MISHRA

Dhanbad, April 19: Rashid Raza Ansari, the Executive President of the Dhanbad District Congress Committee, has come under scrutiny after allegedly assaulting journalists and party workers during a rally.

The Congress Party’s State Disciplinary Committee issued a show cause notice to Ansari, demanding an explanation within seven days as to why severe action should not be taken against him for tarnishing the party’s image.

The notice, issued by Jharkhand State Congress senior vice-president and Disciplinary Committee chairman, Brajendra Prasad, accused Ansari of physically attacking party workers and damaging media equipment during the protest rally against the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

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“You physically assaulted party workers and attacked media personnel, even breaking their cameras during the party’s rally on Thursday. Such an incident has severely tarnished the image of the Congress Party. Therefore, you are required to explain within seven days why severe action should not be taken against you,” stated the show cause notice issued to Executive President Rashid Raza Ansari by State Disciplinary Committee Chairman Brajendra Prasad Singh.

The Rally and Alleged Attack on Media Personnel

The incident occurred after a rally held by the Dhanbad Congress District Committee on Thursday, protesting the ED’s actions against Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi in the National Herald case.

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Following the rally, Ansari, along with his sons and brothers, allegedly attacked media personnel who were photographing the altercation between him and party workers.

In response, an FIR was filed against six individuals, including Ansari, marking the first time journalists have lodged an FIR against a senior Congress leader for assaulting media personnel during a party event.

Police Action and Ongoing Investigation

Late Thursday night, police raided Ansari’s residence in Wasseypur, but he had already fled. In addition to the show cause notice, Jharkhand State Congress President Keshav Mahto Kamlesh has set up a three-member committee to investigate the incident.

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The committee, comprising Rakesh Sinha, Gajendra Singh, and Satish Pal Munjani, will probe the details surrounding the attack and report back.

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Congress Leadership’s Silence on the Incident

Despite the gravity of the situation, most Congress leaders have remained tight-lipped about the incident. While Brajendra Prasad Singh condemned the violence on the same day, Dhanbad Congress leaders, including District President Santosh Singh, have yet to issue any statements.

The lack of response from the party’s senior leadership, who often champion democratic values, has raised concerns among political observers.