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The political landscape of Haryana is once again marred by controversy, this time involving Narnaund Congress candidate Jassi Petwar. A video circulating on social media platforms captured a disturbing incident where Petwar's supporters repeatedly attempted to touch a female Congress leader, Sonia Doohan, in the presence of senior party leaders. This incident has sparked widespread condemnation and calls for immediate action against those involved. The video depicts a man standing behind Doohan persistently attempting to touch her chest, while her brother intervened to prevent the inappropriate contact. The incident occurred during a rally held in the grain market, with prominent Congress figures like Rohtak MP Deepender Hooda, Sonipat Congress MP Satpal Brahmchari, and Petwar himself present. Despite Doohan's distress, no action was taken at the time, further fueling outrage.
The incident has drawn strong criticism from within the Congress party. Sirsa Congress MP Kumari Selja, who viewed the video, voiced her disgust and called for immediate expulsion of the individuals involved. She emphasized the severity of the act, labelling it a “shameless incident” in the state's political arena. Selja highlighted the stark contrast between this incident and the party's commitment to women's empowerment, citing Rahul Gandhi's advocacy for women's struggles. The video's widespread dissemination on social media platforms also ignited criticism from the opposition BJP, which condemned the incident by sharing the video on X (formerly Twitter).
The victim, Sonia Doohan, has expressed her dismay over the incident and confirmed that disciplinary action will be taken against those involved. She described the act as pre-meditated and highlighted the indifference of those present towards her distress. Doohan vowed to expose the perpetrators and bring the full truth to light. The incident has served as a stark reminder of the pervasive issue of sexual harassment, even in political spaces. While the Congress party is under pressure to take decisive action against those involved, the incident raises broader questions about the safety and security of female leaders within the party and the effectiveness of existing mechanisms to address such incidents.
Source: Inappropriate touch on stage, Congress candidate faces backlash in Haryana