Rekha Gupta to Kangana Ranaut: 6 recent attacks on political leaders

A series of similar incidents targeting political leaders have been reported in recent times

Delhi chief minister Rekha Gupta was allegedly attacked at a ‘Jan Sunvai’ programme held at her official residence in Civil Lines in the national capital.

The incident took place on Wednesday morning when a man, said to be in his 30s, approached the chief minister during the public grievance hearing. The man reportedly handed over some papers to her and then allegedly attacked her, sources told CNN-News18.

The accused was immediately taken into custody and an investigation has been initiated into the case. “A mishap happened during Jan Sunvai at CM Residence, Civil Lines. Delhi BJP President Virendraa Sachdeva strongly condemns the attack on CM Rekha Gupta during the weekly Jan Sunvai. Police inquiry to reveal details”, Delhi BJP said in a statement.

A series of similar incidents targeting political leaders has been reported in recent times. Here’s a look at some names --

Arvind Kejriwal

Former Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal was slapped by a man while campaigning for the Aam Aadmi Party’s New Delhi constituency candidate Brijesh Goyal at Moti Nagar in the year 2019. Kejriwal was standing in his open roof vehicle when the incident took place.

Kejriwal also faced several attacks in the past since his political debut in 2013. Last year, a man threw liquid on Kejriwal during his padyatra in the capital’s Greater Kailash Assembly constituency. Back in 2016, Kejriwal was targeted with ink during a visit to Rajasthan’s Bikaner.

Kangana Ranaut

Actor and BJP MP Kangana Ranaut last year said she was hit in the face and abused by a woman CISF constable during security check at the Chandigarh airport. In a video statement titled “Shocking rise in terror and violence in Punjab” posted on X after she landed in Delhi, the “Queen” actor said she was safe and fine.

The constable, she said, came towards her from the side. “She hit me in the face and started abusing me. I asked her why she did it and she said she supports the farmer protests.” “I am safe but my concern is that terrorism is increasing in Punjab… How do we handle that?”

Anil Deshmukh

Senior Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar) leader and former Maharashtra Home Minister Anil Deshmukh sustained injuries last year after stones were thrown at his car in Nagpur district. The incident took place in November when Deshmukh was on his way back from a public meeting in Narkhed, where he was campaigning for his son, Salil Deshmukh.

Sandeep Thapar

Punjab Shiv Sena leader Sandeep Thapar was assaulted with swords in the middle of a busy street in Ludhiana last year. Four ‘Nihangs’ allegedly attacked Thapar with swords, causing injuries to his head, according to the police.

The incident took place in July last year and Thapar was immediately rushed to a hospital where his condition was stated to be serious.

Pintu Chakraborty

A Trinamool Congress leader in Kanaipur in West Bengal's Hooghly district was hacked to death by unidentified assailants, police said on July 31.

The incident occurred near the Kanaipur autorickshaw stand on Wednesday evening when a group of men attacked him with sharp objects, a senior officer said.

The TMC leader was taken to the SSKM hospital in Kolkata, where he was declared dead, the police said.