New Delhi: A major uproar broke out in Delhi’s political circles on Wednesday after reports emerged of an alleged attack on Chief Minister Rekha Gupta during a Jan Sunwai (public grievance hearing) at her residence in Civil Lines.
According to initial accounts, a man approached the Chief Minister while she was meeting citizens, allegedly handed her a piece of paper, shouted abuses, and reportedly slapped her before being restrained by security personnel.
Eyewitnesses also claimed that the attacker tried to pull Gupta’s hair during the incident. The police have detained the man and are interrogating him at Civil Lines Police Station to ascertain his identity and motive.
However, the nature of the attack has become a subject of conflicting claims, with Delhi BJP leaders describing the incident as a “minor mishap” and rejecting allegations that the Chief Minister was slapped or physically assaulted in the manner first reported.
BJP’s Version of Events
Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva, who visited the Chief Minister following the incident, sought to downplay reports of a physical attack. Speaking to reporters, he said, “The Chief Minister is fine.
A man tried to pull her hand, which caused some jostling. In the process, her head might have touched the edge of a table lightly. Doctors have examined her, and she is stable. The stories about slapping or stone-throwing appear to be fabricated.”
Sachdeva added that Gupta was momentarily shocked but remains determined to continue public interactions. “I met her. She is a strong leader and has clearly said that the Jan Sunvai sessions will not be cancelled. She is resting for now but has assured that her scheduled programmes will continue,” he said.
A formal statement issued by the Delhi BJP described the episode as a “mishap” during the grievance hearing and condemned the act, calling for a thorough police investigation.
Eyewitness Claims and Confusion
Despite BJP’s clarification, some people present at the event insisted that the Chief Minister had indeed been slapped. A woman who claimed to have witnessed the incident told reporters, “The man was talking to her and suddenly slapped her. Security rushed in and overpowered him immediately.”
Similarly, Delhi BJP spokesperson Praveen Shankar Kapoor confirmed that the accused had misbehaved during the interaction.
“He handed over a paper to the Chief Minister, started hurling abuses, and then attempted to attack her by pulling her hair. From the language he used, it appeared that he carried some criminal intent and possibly political leanings. Police have detained him, and further investigation will bring out the truth,” Kapoor stated.
This inconsistency between official BJP leaders’ accounts and some eyewitness testimonies has left the exact sequence of events unclear, though officials maintain that Gupta is safe and has not suffered serious harm.
Police Investigation Underway
Officials from the Civil Lines Police Station confirmed that the man involved has been taken into custody and is being questioned. His background, possible affiliations, and reasons for attacking the Chief Minister are being investigated. The Delhi Police have not released his identity at the time of reporting.
Sources in the Chief Minister’s Office said Gupta was meeting citizens in her residence drawing room when the incident occurred.
The man allegedly surged forward suddenly during the interaction, before security personnel stepped in. The CM was examined by doctors afterward and declared stable.
Opposition Reactions
The incident has triggered sharp reactions from opposition parties. Delhi Congress president Devender Yadav condemned the attack, calling it “deeply unfortunate.”
“The Chief Minister represents the people of Delhi. Such incidents should be condemned in the strongest possible terms. But this episode also raises a very serious question on women’s safety. If the CM of Delhi can be attacked at her official residence, then how can ordinary women feel safe in the city?” Yadav asked.
He added that law enforcement must strengthen security measures around public events involving senior leaders.
Political Repercussions
While the BJP leadership in Delhi has dismissed more serious claims of assault, the incident has created a political storm with opposition parties demanding accountability and heightened security arrangements.
Observers note that the confusion over whether Gupta was slapped or not may also spark a debate on political messaging and transparency.
As of now, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta remains at her residence under medical supervision but is said to be in good health. She has reportedly instructed her team to continue the Jan Sunvai sessions as planned, a decision BJP leaders have highlighted as an example of her resilience.
The Delhi Police are expected to release more details once the interrogation of the accused is complete. Until then, conflicting reports continue to circulate over what exactly transpired at the CM’s Civil Lines residence.
