Angkita Dutta, the Assam Youth Congress president, has been suspended from the Congress for six years due to alleged “anti-party activities.” The decision was made after Dutta accused former president of the Indian Youth Congress, Keshav Kumar, of sexual harassment and accused the current leader of the Indian Youth Congress, Srinivas B V, of causing her emotional distress.
According to Tariq Anwar, member-secretary of the Disciplinary Action Committee of the Congress, the Congress president has expelled Dutta for her anti-party activities with immediate effect. The action was taken after she was issued a show-cause notice by the Assam Congress, asking her to explain why action should not be taken against her for her alleged anti-party activities.
This move has drawn criticism from the BJP, which claims that the Congress’ slogan of ‘ladki hoon, lad sakti hoon’ (I am a woman and I can fight) is hollow, and its model of women empowerment is flawed.
Amit Malviya, the head of BJP’s IT cell, tweeted that the Congress’ model of women empowerment is flawed. He criticized the Congress for failing to provide a platform for Dutta to voice her grievances and for ignoring her allegations of sexual harassment.
Dutta has expressed her willingness to pay the price for speaking up against sexual harassment, stating that she is aware that it could lead to the end of her political career. She also denied meeting any BJP leader.
The Congress’s suspension decision has sparked controversy, with many calling for the party to take a more supportive stance towards women who speak out about harassment and discrimination. As the 2024 general elections approach, it remains to be seen how this issue will play out in the political arena.