Workers of the National Students’ Union of India staged a protest outside Assam Bhawan in New Delhi on Tuesday night against the Assam Police action at the residence of Congress leader Pawan Khera.
During the protest, NSUI members raised slogans, burned an effigy of Himanta Biswa Sarma, and criticised what they described as the “political misuse” of police machinery.
The demonstration followed a visit by an Assam Police team to Khera’s residence in Nizamuddin East in connection with a criminal defamation case filed by Riniki Bhuyan Sharma. The case is linked to the ongoing “passport row,” where Congress leaders have raised allegations concerning foreign assets and multiple passports.
Reacting to the development, Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh accused the Assam government of targeting opposition voices. In a post on X, he termed the police action a “witch hunt,” alleging misuse of state machinery to silence critics.
“The deployment of a full army of police officials to arrest my colleague Pawan Khera for asking basic questions proves that the Assam CM is disturbed, desperate, and rattled,” Ramesh said, adding that such actions reflect fear and desperation.
Congress leaders in Delhi also gathered in support of Khera. Leader Deepak Bhardwaj said party workers would remain united against what he described as repeated instances of police from BJP-ruled states targeting opposition leaders.
Meanwhile, Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate questioned the move by Assam Police, urging the Chief Minister to respond to the allegations rather than resort to threats. She said the claims raised by Khera were backed by evidence and warranted a direct response.
Raijor Dal chief Akhil Gogoi also criticised the Assam government, calling its actions “authoritarian” and accusing the Chief Minister of using the police to avoid answering serious questions.
The controversy originates from allegations made by Khera, who claimed that Riniki Bhuyan Sharma holds multiple foreign passports and owns undisclosed properties in Dubai, along with business interests in the United States. The Sarma family has denied these claims, describing them as fabricated and AI-generated.
