Raj Cong leader attack case: Mahila Congress member named in complaint; two suspended

Jaipur, Sep 3 (IANS) The assault on Bikaner City Congress District President Madan Gopal Meghwal in Rajasthan has taken a fresh turn, with the party suspending a father-son duo for six years and ordering an inquiry into the alleged involvement of Mahila Congress leader Shashikala Rathore.

On Wednesday, a political stir erupted within the Congress in Bikaner after Meghwal was assaulted during the inauguration of an election office in Ward No. 50 of the Bikaner Municipal Corporation.

The incident has brought internal differences within the party into the spotlight. Taking action against those accused of assault, the Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) has suspended a father-son duo from the party for six years with immediate effect.

The matter has taken another turn after Meghwal, in a written complaint, alleged that Shashikala Rathore, president of the Bikaner City Mahila Congress, was linked to the alleged conspiracy behind the incident.

The allegation has triggered further discussion within Congress circles in Bikaner and Jaipur.

The written complaint submitted by Meghwal has introduced a new turn to the controversy. He has alleged that Shashikala Rathore was involved in the events leading to the assault. The allegation has not been established, and Rathore has not publicly responded to it so far.

Following the complaint, the Rajasthan Pradesh Congress Committee has directed Sarika Singh, State President of the Mahila Congress, to conduct an inquiry into Rathore’s alleged role.

Sarika Singh has been asked to conduct a detailed investigation and submit her report to the PCC headquarters within two days. The party is expected to take further disciplinary action based on the findings of the inquiry. Any action against Rathore would depend on the outcome of the investigation.

With the inquiry now underway, Congress leaders and workers in Bikaner are awaiting the report, which is expected to clarify the circumstances surrounding the allegations.

Shashikala Rathore is the District President of the Bikaner City Mahila Congress and has been active in the Congress organisation for several years. Before taking charge of the City Mahila Congress, she served as president of the Bikaner Dehat (Rural) Mahila Congress.

Rathore was appointed president of the Bikaner City Mahila Congress by State Mahila Congress President Sarika Singh during an organisational reshuffle in July 2025. She formally assumed charge in September 2025 at the Nari Nyay Sammelan.

She has participated in Congress programmes and protests in Bikaner on issues including inflation, women’s reservation and local concerns. She is also regarded locally as being associated with a faction of senior Congress leaders in the district.

The incident occurred in Ward No. 50 of the Bikaner Municipal Corporation during the inauguration of the election office of a party candidate.

Meghwal had attended the programme as the chief guest. According to accounts of the incident, a verbal altercation broke out among local party leaders and workers before escalating into a physical confrontation. Meghwal was allegedly assaulted during the altercation, creating chaos at the venue. Other senior leaders and workers present at the spot intervened to bring the situation under control.

Videos purportedly showing the incident have also surfaced on social media and are being circulated widely.

The Congress’ disciplinary action against the father-son duo and the inquiry ordered into the allegations against Shashikala Rathore have added a new political dimension to the Bikaner Congress dispute. The inquiry report is now expected to determine the next course of action.

–IANS

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