Assam Congress issues show cause notice to IYC chief Angkita Dutta over harassment charges

Guwahati: Assam unit Congress president Bhupen Bora on Thursday issued a show cause notice to state IYC chief Angkita Dutta for levelling allegations of harassment publicly against national youth Congress president Srinivas B.V.

Angkita had accused Srinivas of being "sexist and chauvinistic". The notice was issued after the National Commission for Women (NCW) asked the Assam Police to probe the charges.

Angkita has been given 24 hours to reply as to why disciplinary action should not be taken against her, according to the notice.

Assam Congress also raised questions over the timing of her allegations, pointing to next month's Karnataka elections, for which Mr Srinivas has been campaigning.

"It has also been found that as long as you were President APYC things were fine. But as soon as you were removed as President APYC due to the electoral process you not only refused to contest the Youth Congress Election but you also started bad mouthing the President IYC for removing you. Such a stand goes against party discipline," the notice read.

Angkita has alleged that she was heckled and mentally harassed by Srinivas on more than one occasion. The Youth Congress chief responded with a defamation suit, for allegedly using "unparliamentary and defamatory" words against him.

IYC chief also claimed that Rahul Gandhi and other senior leaders were apprised about her harassment. However, no action was taken against the youth Congress president.

She said she had complained within the organization for months, but nothing happened. "I am on the verge of losing self-respect now because I am an educated woman and I work for women's issues," she said.

Meanwhile, Bora said that Dutta never informed him about the harassment.

In a letter to Angkita Dutta, the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee chief wrote: "I was not aware of the alleged grievances and was never apprised of the same by you. Hence, I called you the same day to discuss the matter with you. I ensured that if you had any issues it can be addressed at the highest level without making it a public spat as it is an internal matter of the party."

Bora also said that he had requested Angkita not to give any statements in the media as there is a mechanism within the party for any grievances, to which she had agreed.

"But you (Angkita Dutta) have decided to go ahead with public confrontation rather than heeding to party discipline despite my assurance to resolve the matter," he said.

According to Bora, Angkita has not submitted any verbal or written complaint about her allegations to the Congress' General Secretary in charge of Assam. "Such a stand goes against party discipline", he said.

On the other hand, at the Dispur Police Station on Wednesday, Angkita Dutta filed a complaint against Srinivas BV, charging him with verbal and physical abuse as well as using slang phrases over the last six months.