Chandigarh, September 16, 2025: Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was stopped by the police from visiting villages across the Ravi river in the flood-hit areas of Punjab on Monday (September 15, 2025). The Congress party has expressed strong displeasure over this and accused the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab and the Home Ministry at the Centre of collusion. Rahul Gandhi directly asked the police officers, "You say this is Indian land, so can't you protect me in India?" The incident has heated up the political atmosphere.
Rahul Gandhi's visit to meet flood-hit areas
Rahul Gandhi landed at the Shri Guru Ramdas Ji International Airport on Monday morning to visit the flood-hit areas of Amritsar and Gurdaspur districts of Punjab. He visited Ghonewal village in Amritsar and Gurchak village in Gurdaspur to interact with flood-affected families. During this visit, he reviewed the damage caused by the floods and tried to provide relief to the victims. After this, he tried to visit Toor village across the Ravi river in Gurdaspur district, which is near the India-Pakistan border and has been cut off from the mainland due to floods. However, the local police stopped him from crossing the river, citing security reasons.
Rahul Gandhi questioned the police, "Isn't this India? You say I cannot be protected on Indian soil?" He further said, "As the leader of the opposition, I have the right to go there. If the Punjab police cannot protect me, it is a matter of concern." A video of this interaction has gone viral on social media, in which Rahul Gandhi is seen arguing with the police officers. He was accompanied by Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Waring and MP Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa.
Congress attacks government
After this incident, Congress leaders strongly criticized the Punjab government and the central government. Punjab Congress President Amarinder Singh Raja Waring said, "Rahul Gandhi had gone to meet the flood victims and understand their problems. The police stopped him citing security reasons. If Rahul Gandhi is being told that he is under threat from Pakistan in India, then where are we safe?" He further raised the question, "If we are not safe on Indian soil, then where is the safety?"
Former Punjab Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi also condemned the incident. He said, "Our people live there. Rahul Gandhi had gone to meet them and ensure their welfare. The Congress has been running a medical camp in that area for the last three days. It is very unfortunate to stop them." Channi also questioned the Rs 1,600 crore assistance recently announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "When I was the Chief Minister, crops in two districts were damaged and we had to spend Rs 716 crore. How will Rs 1,600 crore be enough for the entire state?" he asked.
The Congress party said in a post on social media, "The devastating floods in Punjab have devastated the lives of thousands of people. Rahul Gandhi met the flood-affected families and took stock of their problems and reviewed the relief work." The party has demanded that the Centre and the Punjab government ensure immediate relief and compensation.
BJP's counterattack
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has criticised Rahul Gandhi over the incident. BJP leader Amit Malviya, targeting Rahul Gandhi, said, "Instead of consoling the flood victims and strengthening the administration, Rahul Gandhi tried to create chaos and instability. This is a lack of responsibility." He shared a video of Rahul Gandhi's interaction with the police and called him a leader who was "playing a game".
On the other hand, Punjab BJP spokesperson Pritpal Singh Baliwal accused Rahul Gandhi of not sharing in the suffering of the flood victims of Punjab while he was enjoying his vacation abroad. "Rahul Gandhi was vacationing in Malaysia while Punjab was drowning," he quipped.
Political dispute likely to escalate
The incident is likely to heat up the political atmosphere in Punjab. The Congress has accused the Home Ministry at the Centre and the AAP government in Punjab of collusion. Congress leader and former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel has also condemned the incident. He said, "It is a shame that the Home Ministry and the Punjab government together prevented Rahul Gandhi from visiting the flood-affected villages. These villages are cut off from the mainland and can only be reached by boats."
Rahul Gandhi has assured help to the flood victims through a post on Twitter. "The state and central governments should ensure that the victims get immediate relief and compensation. I am with every affected family and will raise their voice and ensure that they get all possible help," he wrote.
Tour and visit to religious places
During his tour, Rahul Gandhi offered prayers at the historic Gurudwara Baba Budha Sahib in Ramdas in Amritsar and accepted the Siropa (robe of honour). After this, he visited Gurchak village in Dera Baba Nanak in Gurdaspur, where