Rahul Gandhi and Sam Pitroda. (File image: PTI)
The journalist, Rohit Sharma, said that he had a very good interview with Pitroda but the moment he asked this question before Rahul Gandhi was to land in Dallas, a group of the Congress leader’s supporters snatched his phone, held him in the room, and pushed him to delete the interview
Even after Rahul Gandhi is back from his United States visit, controversies from the trip continue to trail him. A journalist has alleged that he was manhandled by Rahul Gandhi’s team when he asked a question to Sam Pitroda, chairman of the Indian Overseas Congress (IOC), about the Lok Sabha leader of opposition’s stand on Hindus being attacked in Bangladesh.
The journalist, Rohit Sharma, said that he had a very good interview with Pitroda but the moment he asked this question before Rahul Gandhi was to land in Dallas, a group of the Congress leader’s supporters snatched his phone, held him in the room, and pushed him to delete the interview.
No one from the Congress wanted to comment on this issue when approached by CNN-News18, but the Bharatiya Janata Party has begun its attacks on the Congress and Rahul Gandhi. The BJP has accused the Raebareli MP of having double standards and said that while he talks about the Constitution being in danger under the Narendra Modi government, he himself has tried to throttle free speech.
How I was assaulted by Rahul Gandhi’s team in Dallas, Texas writes India Today’s Washington contributor Rohit Sharma.Gandhi’s associates snatched his phone and forced him to delete footage of a question about attacks on Bangladeshi Hindus.
Rahul Gandhi’s team getting… pic.twitter.com/eVROjHyJ6S
— Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) September 13, 2024
The journalist has issued a statement on social media site X.
So, I’m not doing any interviews at this time. I’ve said everything I needed to in the story. While it’s natural to feel like your life is at risk in situations like this, I trust that God is always watching over me. Thanks for all your concerns!— Rohit Sharma (@DcWalaDesi) September 13, 2024
Rahul Gandhi during his US trip accused the Modi government of endangering the Constitution and using power and agencies to silence opponents. Observers say this incident will be used by the BJP in the days to come to counter Rahul’s narrative.