Complaint to Congress leaders alleges MP slapped fellow MP on bus on way to Delhi rally

A video shot on a bus on November 1, the day of the Congress's "Vote Bachao Desh Bachao" rally in Delhi, has gone viral and is being discussed in political circles. Based on the video, a complaint has been sent to senior Congress leaders. It alleges that Ramtek MP Shyam Kumar Barve slapped Chandrapur MP Pratibha Dhanorkar on the bus.

The complaint is said to have been emailed by some Congress office-bearers. The email went to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi and K C Venugopal. It was also sent to Sirivella Prasad, the party's Maharashtra in-charge. Those who complained say the conduct of some Congress MPs on the day of the rally is damaging the party's image.

The incident mentioned in the complaint took place while several Congress MPs were travelling by bus to the rally at Ramlila Maidan in Delhi. According to the complaint sent to the senior leaders, Barve is accused of slapping Pratibha Dhanorkar during this journey.

The complaint also alleges that the behaviour of one MP, Shyam Kumar Barve, is harming the party's image and sending the public a wrong message about it. According to the complaint, the party is fighting to save democracy, uphold constitutional values and protect the dignity of women. It also says Barve's conduct is particularly unbecoming for a party that talks of its "Smash The Patriarchy" campaign. It speaks of a serious lapse in organisational discipline and raises questions about the party's treatment of women leaders.

The letter says such behaviour is not expected of elected representatives. It therefore demands that the party's senior leaders take disciplinary action against such behaviour, in the interest of organisational discipline and respect for women leaders. The letter also says Kharge will take note of the incident and take the necessary action.

The video runs for about ten seconds and shows several Congress MPs travelling to the rally by bus. In it, Barve is seen standing and giving a light slap to Dhanorkar, who is seated beside him. Dhanorkar at first does not react, but then looks at Barve with some annoyance. The complaint to the party's senior leaders about the MP's conduct was made only after the video went viral.

Pratibha Dhanorkar declined to speak on camera about the matter. She said, however, that it all happened while the MPs were joking among themselves. The matter has now reached the party's senior leadership, and it remains to be seen what stand the Congress takes.