AAP Gujarat chief Gopal Italia detained by Delhi Police, workers create ‘ruckus’ outside NCW office

New Delhi: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)’s Gujarat unit chief Gopal Italia was on Thursday detained by Delhi Police from the office of National Commission for Women (NCW) and taken to Sarita Vihar police station.

The AAP leader was summoned by the NCW for questioning over his offensive remarks on Hindu women. He had sparked controversy with his purported remarks that Hindu women should not visit temples & attend ‘kathas’ as they are places of exploitation.

. @NCWIndia चीफ़ मुझे जेल में डालने की धमकी दे रही है। मोदी सरकार पटेल समाज को जेल के सिवा दे ही क्या सकती है। बीजेपी पाटीदार समाज से नफ़रत करती है। मैं सरदार पटेल का वंशज हूँ। तुम्हारी जेलों से नहीं डरता। डाल दो मुझे जेल में। इन्होंने पुलिस को भी बुला लिया है। मुजे धमका रहे है।

— Gopal Italia (@Gopal_Italia) October 13, 2022

The AAP leader’s another derogatory comment on Prime Minister Narendra Modi also created a strong uproar, following which many from the BJP called for action on him. His earlier video went viral this week, in which he could be heard using derogatory & insulting remarks against PM Modi.

While the AAP leader was questioned at the NCW office, a group of party workers gathered outside it and created commotion & ruckus.

“All the Aam Aadmi Party hooligans are outside my office creating a ruckus,” NCW chief Rekha Sharma tweeted along with a picture of the same from outside her office.

All the @AamAadmiParty hulligons are outside my office creating ruckus. @CPDelhi @SouthwestDcp @PMOIndia pic.twitter.com/7N698OAcRK

— Rekha Sharma (@sharmarekha) October 13, 2022

Prior to summoning Italia, NCW chief had termed his statement as abominable & misogynistic. She also said that AAP leader didn’t give proper answers to questions and was mostly evasive.

AAP cries foul, calls it a conspiracy

Meanwhile, the AAP is crying conspiracy over the arrest of Gopal Italia.

AAP’s Delhi leadership, strongly rallying behind him, accused the Center of trying to browbeat their political opponents by misusing Central agencies.

Gopal Italia termed his detention as Modi govt’s angst against Patidaar leaders while Delhi CM took to Twitter to claim that high-handedness by Delhi Police will backfire.

पूरी बीजेपी गोपाल इटालिया के पीछे क्यों पड़ी है? https://t.co/s8TZnAZfXc

— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) October 13, 2022

“Why is the entire BJP behind Gopal Italia?”, tweeted Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal.