By Sunil Sonker
Mussoorie, 4 Nov: A major commotion broke out between BJP and Congress workers during the convoy movement of State Congress President Ganesh Godiyal, who was heading to Hathipaon (near George Everest, Mussoorie) to participate in a protest under the ‘Save Land, Remove Dhami’ (Bhumi Bachao, Dhami Hatao) campaign. In opposition to the Congress protest, BJP workers displayed black flags to express their dissent. This led to a heated exchange between the two groups, which quickly escalated into a physical altercation. It is alleged that during the scuffle, Mussoorie BJP Mandal President Rajat Agrawal was assaulted.
According to accounts from the scene, BJP workers were staging a peaceful protest by showing black flags to State Congress President Ganesh Godiyal. Tensions subsequently flared between the Congress and BJP supporters. The BJP has alleged that former Municipal Council Chairman Anuj Gupta and his associates launched a sudden attack on BJP Mandal President Rajat Agrawal. It is alleged that his clothes were torn and he was struck with sticks. Following the incident, a prolonged period of shoving and skirmishing ensued between the two sides, creating a chaotic atmosphere. The Mussoorie police had to work hard to bring the situation under control and attempted to pacify both groups. This politically sensitive incident has left the area in a state of tension.
The Mussoorie BJP has strongly condemned the conduct of the Congress workers. BJP leaders alleged that Congress leaders are attempting to disrupt the peaceful environment of Mussoorie by promoting political hooliganism in the city. The BJP stated that the party believes in democratic values and that expressing dissent is the right of every political party. BJP workers claim they were registering their protest peacefully by showing black flags to the state Congress president, but Congress workers turned the situation into a confrontation. The BJP questioned that if the Congress claims to uphold democracy and freedom of expression, it should also accept dissenting voices in a democratic manner.
BJP leaders remarked that with the 2027 assembly elections approaching, the Congress lacks any substantive issues to take to the public; consequently, it is attempting to manufacture political controversy out of such incidents. They added that the public has not forgotten the alleged corruption and irregularities that occurred during the Congress’s tenure, and the electorate will provide a fitting response in the upcoming elections.
There is significant resentment among party workers regarding the alleged assault on BJP Mandal President Rajat Agrawal. BJP leaders made it clear that an FIR will be filed against those involved, and they will demand legal action against the perpetrators. They emphasized that while political opposition is one thing, physical assault and indecent behavior toward any individual are unacceptable.
Meanwhile, Congress workers alleged that the BJP became rattled upon seeing the large gathering of Congress supporters during the protest and is now leveling baseless accusations. They claimed that it was the BJP workers who behaved indecently and used abusive language toward Congress members, which triggered the dispute between the two sides.
