Himachal Pradesh BJP MLA Randhir Sharma on Saturday alleged that Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu was behind the shirtless protest staged by Youth Congress workers during the AI Impact Summit held in Delhi recently.
Speaking at a press conference, Sharma made serious allegations against the Himachal Pradesh government and the chief minister over the protest. He described the act as “irresponsible” and “anti-national”.
Sharma claimed that Sukhu was the mastermind of the incident and accused him of misusing constitutional and legislative processes for political advantage.
On February 20, a group of Indian Youth Congress (IYC) workers carried out a dramatic protest inside Hall No. 5 of the summit venue in Delhi. They removed their shirts to reveal T-shirts carrying anti-government slogans before security personnel quickly took them away.
On Wednesday, a high-voltage situation unfolded in Shimla when a team of Delhi Police held three IYC workers from a hotel in Rohru near the Himachal capital for their alleged role in the protest.
The arrests led to a tense standoff between the Delhi and Himachal police teams. The situation ended on Thursday morning when the Delhi Police team was finally allowed to leave for the national capital with the three accused.
Sources said the Delhi Police team was stopped for nearly five hours despite obtaining a transit remand from the concerned ACJM court in Shimla.
Sharma also alleged that some of those involved in the protest were accommodated at Himachal Sadan in Delhi. He said Sukhu had publicly admitted that the room bookings were made through his office.
Calling the matter very serious, Sharma sought a high-level investigation by a central agency. He also sought a separate probe into the role of the chief minister and his office.
As per Sharma, after an FIR was filed in Delhi, some of the accused were allegedly shifted to remote areas in Himachal Pradesh under government protection. He further alleged that when Delhi Police tried to take them back with a court-approved transit remand, Himachal Police blocked them and even registered a case of abduction against the Delhi team.
“The unprecedented confrontation between two police forces raises grave constitutional concerns,” Sharma said. He asked whether the Himachal Police acted under political pressure. “Himachal Pradesh is a peaceful and patriotic state. Unfortunately, the dignity of constitutional offices was compromised. The truth must come out, and accountability must be fixed,” Sharma added.
Also read: Khaki vs Khaki: Arrest sparked police standoff in Himachal
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