‘Ankita Nyaya Yatra Sanyukta Sangharash Samiti’ gherao Uttarakhand assembly Speaker Ritu Khanduri’s residence

‘Ankita Nyaya Yatra Sanyukta Sangharash Samiti’ gherao Uttarakhand assembly Speaker Ritu Khanduri’s residence

Dehradun, March 24

The ‘Ankita Nyaya Yatra Sanyukta Sangharash Samiti’ staged a protest against the absurd statements made by BJP MLAs and ministers—both within the legislative assembly and to the media—regarding the Ankita Bhandari murder case. The members of the samiti today went to the residence of Uttarakhand Speaker Ritu Khanduri for picketing for her alleged comments in the legislative assembly that the Ankita Bhandari case is not serious enough for discussion in the hosue.

The samiti had alleged that the insensitive and frivolous statements being issued by leaders holding responsible positions within the government and the party organization—specifically to shield individuals linked to the BJP who are implicated in Ankita’s murder (ranging from minor figures to prominent names)—are not merely condemnable but utterly shameful.

Resolving to launch a campaign against such leaders, the Samiti initiated its protest today by gheraoing the residence of Uttarakhand Assembly Speaker Ritu Khanduri, located in Yamuna Colony. Upon reaching the main gate of the ministerial residences in Yamuna Colony, members of the Ankita Nyaya Yatra Sanyukta Sangharash Samiti  were stopped by a strong police force backed by barricades.  Subsequently, the forum members staged a spirited sit-in protest and held a fiery public meeting at that very spot.

Kamla Pant, Convenor of the samiti  stated that the BJP government has consistently sought to shield “VIP criminals” involved in the Ankita Bhandari murder case. She noted that a former BJP MLA and a woman associated with the party had themselves identified senior BJP functionaries belonging to RSS as the “VIP criminals” in question. At a time when the people of the state are demanding the investigation and arrest of these VIP criminals, BJP Minister Subodh Uniyal has chosen to insult the public by dismissively labeling them as “riff-raff” (or “any Tom, Dick, or Harry”)—a behavior that is deeply regrettable.

Nirmala Bisht,  a leader of the Samiti asserted that the BJP’s conduct and character have historically been inimical to women’s interests, and that the Modi-led central government consistently shields its own leaders who are implicated in crimes against women. She highlighted that Hardeep Puri, the BJP government’s Minister of Petroleum, met on multiple occasions with Jeffrey Epstein—a man who sexually exploited underage girls in the United States—and that Epstein subsequently invested crores of rupees into companies owned by Hardeep Puri. The Modi government at the Centre has continued to shield Minister Hardeep Puri despite his association with the criminal Epstein, whereas governments across the globe have taken action against politicians whose names surfaced in connection with the “Epstein Files.” She charged that it would be futile to expect the BJP government to take action against its’ own leaders hose names have surfaced as “VIP culprits” in the Ankita murder case.

A large number of people participated in the assembly under the leadership of Mohit Dimri, Kanishk, Vipin Negi, Suraj, Manish, and others, and forcefully raised their voices demanding justice for Ankita.

Speaking at the dharna site, Uma Bhatt stated that the BJP’s true character and conduct regarding women have been exposed. She highlighted how the BJP government is continuously shielding—and providing patronage to—the “VIP culprits” involved in the murder of a daughter of Uttarakhand.

Vimla Kohli, accused the BJP government of protecting the VIP culprits involved in the Ankita murder case. She further alleged that the BJP government’s decision to base the CBI investigation solely on the FIR filed by a so-called environmentalist Anil Joshi was a deliberate conspiracy.

Renowned social activist Sujata Paul, associated with the Samiti remarked that although more than three years have passed since the Ankita murder, no legal action has been taken against the VIP culprits involved—despite their names having surfaced. She asserted that this demonstrates the BJP’s profound insensitivity toward women.

The gathering at the protest site was addressed by Padma Gupta, Kanishk Joshi, Suraj Negi, Mohit Dimri, Pankaj Kshetri, and others. The struggling intellectual community also showed significant participation and support during this protest program. The platform announced that they would stage protests—one by one—outside the residences of every BJP MLA.

A large number of people  participated in this protest, including Jag Mohan Mehndiratta, Bhopal Chaudhary, Kamlesh Khantwal, Udveer Panwar, Suresh, Pankaj Kshetri, Padma Gupta, Kanishk Joshi, Suraj Negi, Manju Naithani, Mohit Dimri, Deepa Negi, Geeta Bayasi, Devendra Naudiyal, and many others.