Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has called on the Congress to address the issue of Angkita Dutta, the president of the Assam unit of Indian Youth Congress (IYC), who has accused IYC national president Srinivas BV of harassment. In a police complaint filed on Thursday, Dutta alleged that Srinivas had been harassing her for the past six months, making sexist comments and threatening her with dire consequences if she spoke out against him.
Sarma, who described Dutta as “the daughter of Assam”, has urged Congress to resolve the matter internally, warning that if they fail to do so, the law will take its own course. He expressed disappointment with the way the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee has handled the matter, stating that they seem to be supporting Srinivas instead of standing up for Dutta.
Speaking to the media, Sarma said, “It is Congress’ matter, and if they tackle the issue then there will be no need for the involvement of CID or police. If the issue is not resolved, then the law will have to take its course.” He added that he would have been happy if the Assam Congress had spoken out in support of Dutta.
Dutta recorded her statement in the case before the Chief Judicial Magistrate court in Guwahati on Friday. In her complaint, she alleged that Srinivas had harassed her at a hotel in Raipur, Chhattisgarh, on March 25, 2023. She claimed that he had heckled her, held her arm, pushed and pulled her, and threatened to ruin her career in Congress if she complained against him.
The Assam Chief Minister’s comments come amid growing calls for action against Srinivas, with several Congress leaders and women’s rights activists demanding his resignation. The Congress has set up an internal inquiry committee to look into the matter, and Srinivas has denied the allegations, calling them baseless and motivated.
The case has once again highlighted the issue of sexual harassment in politics, with many arguing that political parties need to do more to ensure the safety and dignity of women in their ranks.
