Ambala, October 28 (R. Singh):- Vinod Dhiman, president of the Block Congress Committee, Ambala City, who had announced a protest by burning an effigy outside the BJP office against Haryana Minister Anil Vij’s allegedly controversial remarks, was taken into police custody near his home at around 7 AM today. According to information received, City Police Station In-charge Sunita Dhaka arrived at the spot along with officials from Police Posts No. 4 and 1 and approximately 30 to 40 police personnel. The police detained Vinod Dhiman and took him to the Kotwali Police Station.
As soon as news of Vinod Dhiman’s detention spread, Congress workers became angry. Hundreds of party workers gathered at Congress Bhawan and marched towards the Kotwali Police Station while raising slogans against the police administration. Following the intervention of Ambala City MLA Chaudhary Nirmal Singh, Vinod Dhiman was released at around 1 PM. After his release, he thanked the Congress workers who had gathered to support him.
Speaking to the media, Dhiman said the Congress party had announced the effigy-burning protest in response to allegedly insulting remarks made by Anil Vij against Congress national president Shri Mallikarjun Kharge. He alleged that before the protest could take place, the police administration detained him at 7 AM in an attempt to suppress a democratic voice.
Vinod Dhiman said the Indian National Congress was founded in 1885 and had played a historic role in the country’s freedom struggle. He alleged that by calling the Congress the “illegitimate offspring of the British”, Anil Vij had insulted not only the Congress party but also the contributions of countless freedom fighters and martyrs who fought for India’s independence. He said the country could never forget the struggles and sacrifices of great personalities such as Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Constitution-maker Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar, Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh, Shaheed Udham Singh, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad and Ashfaqulla Khan. He said Anil Vij should study history before questioning the Congress party’s contribution to the freedom movement.
Questioning the ideology of the BJP and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), Dhiman said the political roles of the Hindu Mahasabha and the Muslim League during the freedom struggle, as well as their participation in certain provincial governments, were part of history. He said BJP leaders should also discuss their own political history and the role of their ideology during the freedom struggle before making allegations against others.
Vinod Dhiman said the alleged use of insulting language such as “kaale muh wala” against Congress national president and senior Dalit leader Shri Mallikarjun Kharge was highly condemnable. He said remarks targeting a person’s caste or complexion were an attack on their dignity. Such statements, he added, were contrary to social equality, constitutional values and respect for the Dalit community.
He said a senior minister like Anil Vij was expected to maintain dignified language and behave responsibly in public life. Political differences were irrelevant, he said, but insulting remarks based on caste, complexion or social identity were unacceptable from any leader. He demanded that Anil Vij clarify his statement and publicly apologise if he had made such remarks.
Vinod Dhiman said Congress workers were not afraid of police detention or government pressure. He alleged that the government was using administrative power to suppress dissent. He said peaceful protest was the right of every citizen and political party in a democracy. If the government tried to silence its critics, Congress workers would raise public issues even more forcefully. He said the independence of democratic institutions, social justice and protection of people’s rights were among the most important issues facing the country today. Rahul Gandhi, he added, had consistently raised these issues, and the Congress party would continue to fight to protect the Constitution and democratic values.
Vinod Dhiman said senior Congress leaders were in Delhi to attend a meeting concerning preparations for the “Save the Vote, Save the Country” rally scheduled for the 1st. He said that after the senior leaders returned, consultations would be held to formulate a strategy and decide on the next course of action. Former councillor Mithun Verma, Harjit Singh Bablu, councillor Rajwinder Kaur, Rohit Sharma Vishu, Davinder Gupta and others were present on the occasion.
