In Punjab, Rahul Gandhi stopped from visiting flood-hit villages across Ravi river
PTC Web Desk: Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and Member of Parliament Rahul Gandhi on Monday visited flood-affected areas in Punjab’s Gurdaspur district after paying obeisance at Dera Baba Nanak. He reached Makora Pattan in Dinanagar but was stopped by the district administration from crossing the Ravi river to meet residents of seven villages on the other side.
The restriction led to a heated exchange between Congress leaders and district officials. Rahul Gandhi questioned why he was being prevented from meeting flood victims in his own country. Senior officials, however, cited security concerns.
Rahul Gandhi said this was unfortunate that he was being stopped from visiting his own people. "If I am not allowed to cross the river, then bring the villagers here,” Rahul Gandhi said. Following his demand, residents from across the river were brought to Makora Pattan, where Rahul Gandhi interacted with them about their hardships.
Former Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi, who accompanied Rahul Gandhi, strongly criticised the Punjab Government. he said it was shameful that the Leader of the Opposition was prevented from meeting the people. The state government made no preparations before the floods, and now it was responsible for the devastation, he alleged.
Congress MP Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa and Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) president Raja Warring also condemned the move. They demanded answers from both the Centre and the Punjab government. “Why was Rahul Gandhi stopped on his way to meet the people? The Punjab government released water from both rivers simultaneously, flooding Punjab. The Centre must investigate this matter,” they said.
The incident has triggered sharp political reactions, with the Congress accusing the Punjab government of mishandling the situation and blocking Rahul Gandhi’s outreach to flood-affected families.
- With inputs from agencies
