Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta was allegedly attacked on Wednesday during her weekly Jan Sunvai programme at her official residence in Civil Lines. According to police, a 41-year-old man first handed some papers to the CM and then suddenly assaulted her by pulling her hair and slapping her. He has been detained and further inquiry is underway. Doctors examined the CM, who is stable but reportedly in shock.
The Delhi CMO confirmed the incident, saying the accused has been arrested and is being questioned. Delhi BJP chief Virendra Sachdeva strongly condemned the attack, calling it “politically motivated,” but dismissed reports of stone-pelting. He said Gupta remains determined to continue public interactions.
Delhi Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa termed it a “conspiracy by rivals” who cannot tolerate the CM’s close connect with the public.
The incident drew sharp reactions across political lines. Congress MP Pramod Tiwari said there was “no place for violence in politics” but alleged BJP’s own history of such acts. Delhi Congress president Devender Yadav linked the incident to larger issues of women’s safety in the capital, asking, “If the CM of Delhi is not safe, how can a common woman be safe?”
Former CM Atishi also condemned the assault, stressing that while disagreement has space in democracy, “violence has none,” and urged Delhi Police to take strict action.
