‘Is it not India?’: Rahul Gandhi argues with Punjab cops when stopped from visiting flood-hit border village

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was stopped by Punjab Police from visiting a flood-affected border village across the Ravi river during his recent visit to Punjab, sparking a political controversy.

Also read: In Punjab, Rahul Gandhi’s visit to Gurdaspur villages across Ravi cut short

Gandhi was in Punjab to assess flood damage and meet affected families in Amritsar and Gurdaspur districts.

After visiting Ghonewal village in Amritsar and Gurchak village in Gurdaspur, he attempted to travel to Toor, a village near the India-Pakistan border.

However, police officials reportedly prevented him from crossing the Ravi river, citing security concerns.

A video of the incident, showing Gandhi questioning the decision. Pointing towards the village across the river, he asked a senior Punjab Police officer: “You are telling me you cannot keep me safe on Indian territory? Is it not India?”

The officer replied, “We are always ready to protect you,” but Gandhi pressed further, saying, “But you are saying that is India, and you cannot protect me in India.”

Gandhi, accompanied by Punjab Congress president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring and MP Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, criticized the restriction, asking, “Are you saying the Leader of Opposition cannot visit because Punjab Police cannot provide protection?”

The incident drew sharp criticism from several Congress leaders, who alleged that the AAP-led Punjab government used security as an excuse to prevent Gandhi from visiting the flood-hit border village.

Former Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi condemned the move, stating:“Our own people live there. Gandhi wanted to meet them and check on their well-being. We have been running a medical camp in that area for three days. It is unfortunate that he was stopped.”

Punjab Congress chief Warring also questioned the justification: “If Rahul Gandhi faces a threat from Pakistan while in India, and we’re not safe even on Indian soil, then where are we safe?”

Senior Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa called the decision "shameful and insensitive," alleging it was politically motivated:

“This was not a security issue; it was a political decision to avoid accountability. The government is using flimsy security pretexts to stop Gandhi from reaching the worst-hit areas.”

Bajwa further accused both AAP and BJP leaders of failing to visit the severely affected border villages.

“These are our people, our fellow Indians. Just because they live near the border does not make them less deserving of help,” he said.