Rahul Gandhi’s Wayanad office vandalised, 8 SFI workers detained

Mangalore Today News Network

Wayanad, June 24, 2022: The Students’ Federation of India (SFI) took out a march and vandalised Congress MP Rahul Gandhi’s office in Wayanad, Kerala. They barged into the office and destroyed pieces of equipment inside.

 

The protest was carried out against Rahul Gandhi for allegedly not interfering in the Supreme Court order on the eco-sensitive zone (ESZ). After the protest, Congress stated that his office staff was also injured in the clash.

Police said the protest march contained around 100 Students’ Federation of India (SFI) activists and they barged into the office. As of now, eight of them are under custody. More police have been deployed.

The mob was reportedly irked by the SC order mandating an eco-sensitive zone (ESZ) of a kilometre around all protected areas, wildlife sanctuaries and national parks and demanded that Rahul Gandhi break his silence on the matter.

However, Rahul Gandhi did send a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the buffer zone issue on June 23, stating that the SC’s judgement on the maintenance of the eco-sensitive zones has led to widespread protests around Wayanad parliamentary constituency.

He noted, "As one of the most densely populated regions in the Western Ghats, such restrictions hamper the ability of local communities to improve their standard of living."

"I request the Union Government to address the concerns of the local communities likely to be impacted by the judgement and reiterate our shared commitment towards balancing the goals of conservation with the legitimate developmental needs of our people," Gandhi stated in his letter to the PM.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan reacted to the attack on Rahul Gandhi’s office. "I strongly condemn the attack on Rahul Gandhi’s office. This is a land that encourages protests in a democratical manner. But this was against all that. The government will take strict action against whosoever is involved in the incident," he said.

The apex court recently issued a direction that each protected forest, including national parks and wildlife sanctuaries, must have an ESZ of one kilometre and banned mining activities within such parks across the nation.

The high-range areas of Kerala, particularly areas in Idukki, Wayanad, Kottayam and Pathanamthitta districts, had been witnessing hartals by various political and farmers’ groups against the apex court order delivered on June 3.

Courtesy: India Today