Mahatma Gandhi’s Photo in Rahul Gandhi’s Office undamaged during SFI Protest: Kerala CM

On 4th July, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said Mahatma Gandhi's photo, hanging in Rahul Gandhi’s office, was destroyed only after SFI activists were removed from the Congress Leader's office in June. 

In June, the SFI- students wing of ruling CPI(M), in a protest against Congress MP Rahul Gandhi had entered the office in Wayanad and vandalised it. The main criticism raised by opposition was related to the photo of Mahatma Gandhi which was allegedly vandalised by the SFI protestors.

The Kerala Chief Minister, commenting on the protest said the picture was not broken when police reached the premises and the SFI workers were removed from the site.  “In the investigation, it was found that by 3:54 pm Friday, the workers who vandalised the office were out of the office. The police photographer took a photo of the scene around 4:04 pm. In this picture, Gandhiji’s photo was in the correct spot on the wall. After the student protestors were out it was the congress workers who were there. At 4.24 when pictures were taken Gandhiji’s picture was found on the ground, glasses broken.”

^{The SFI activists vandalised the office and placed Rahul’s photo and a banana tree on his chair. The police report points out that Gandhi’s photo can be seen hanging on the wall even after the banana tree was placed on the chair.}

He further added that a crime has been registered in connection with the illegal trespass into Rahul Gandhi's office and the damage caused there. Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan was furious at the allegations raised by CPIM. During the adjournment motion ,he stated, “The Congress leader stated that as an “ADGP was sent to investigate, even before the official reached on spot CM said that Gandhiji’s photo was not destroyed by SFI workers."

He further added“how can the officer go there and give another report contradictory to what Chief Minister said? There is a visual of a police officer giving support to one of the students who vandalised the office. From that police official, you are taking the report and saying that we attacked Gandhi’s picture.” The adjournment motion was moved by the UDF opposition alleging lack of police action regarding attacks on the CPI(M) state headquarters AKG Centre as well as various Congress offices in Kerala.