Protests were held in Delhi and Uttarakhand against the appointment of BJP leader Dushyant Kumar Gautam as Governor of Sikkim, despite allegations against him of being the “VIP” in the Ankita Bhandari murder case. Protesters demanded justice for Ankita and opposed the Modi-Shah regime’s decision to appoint a person facing serious allegations to a constitutional post.
On October 18, a protest was held near India Gate in Delhi, with a large number of people from Uttarakhand joining the demonstration. They were taken into police custody when they arrived to protest against the decision.
CPI(ML) Liberation Uttarakhand State Secretary Comrade Indresh, along with activists of the All India Progressive Women’s Association (AIPWA), joined the protest. Addressing the gathering, Comrade Indresh said, “Ankita Bhandari’s parents are at India Gate, anguished by the appointment of Dushyant Kumar Gautam as Governor despite the allegations against him of being the VIP in the Ankita Bhandari murder case. By appointing Dushyant Kumar Gautam as Governor, Modi-Shah are attempting to provide him a shield against the allegations in the Ankita Bhandari murder case. The struggle for justice for Ankita Bhandari will continue against this unjust decision.”
The protest followed demonstrations across Uttarakhand against the appointment. On October 15, CPI(ML) Liberation leader Comrade Atul Sati addressed a protest in Joshimath, organised by constituents of the INDIA bloc, including CPI(ML) Liberation and the Congress, demanding justice for Ankita Bhandari and opposing Gautam’s appointment as Governor.
The protests have raised serious questions about the BJP’s political protection of those facing allegations of sexual exploitation and violence against women. The appointment of Gautam has intensified demands for accountability and justice in the Ankita Bhandari case, while the detention of Ankita’s parents for protesting against the decision has further exposed the administration’s response to those seeking justice.
CPI(ML) Liberation stands with Ankita Bhandari’s family and all those fighting for justice. The struggle against political protection and for the powerful and for accountability in cases of violence against women will continue.
