The All India Congress Committee (AICC) has expelled Angkita Dutta, the Assam president of the Indian Youth Congress, for a period of six years due to “anti-party activities”. The decision came days after Dutta accused the organisation’s national president Srinivas BV of harassment.
Dutta, who hails from a family with four generations of Congress members, actively participated in the ‘Bharat Jodo Yatra’ led by Rahul Gandhi and contested internal organisational polls twice, ultimately becoming a booth committee member. Her family has deep-rooted connections to the Congress, with her father Anjan Dutta being the president of the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee before passing away in 2016.
Dutta alleged that Srinivas BV was a “sexist and chauvinistic” person, who had been harassing her and discriminating based on gender. She claimed to have informed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of the matter, but no inquiry was ordered. Dutta filed a complaint at the Dispur police station, alleging Srinivas was “harassing and torturing her for the last six months by making sexist comments, using slang words and also threatening her with dire consequences if she keeps complaining against him to the senior party office bearers”.
Assam Congress chief Bhupen Kumar Borah had earlier said Dutta had submitted her reply to the show-cause notice for going public with allegations of harassment and gender discrimination against the Indian Youth Congress president without first informing the party leadership.
The expulsion of Angkita Dutta from the Congress for her allegations against Srinivas BV has stirred controversy within the party, with many calling for an independent inquiry into the matter. The incident highlights the urgent need for all political parties to have strict policies against harassment and discrimination, and to ensure a safe and inclusive work environment for all members.
