BJP workers manhandled me in Rae Bareli: Shabnam Hashmi

Social activist Shabnam Hashmi claimed that she and her associate were "manhandled" by a group of BJP workers today in Rae Bareli while they were distributing leaflets that aim to explode "the myth surrounding the Gujarat development model".

"A group of about 25-30 BJP workers wearing saffron caps surrounded us and snatched away the leaflets. They also threatened and manhandled us," Hashmi alleged.

"Their language was highly abusive and sexist. The incident took place in afternoon," Hashmi told PTI over phone.

Hashmi said they were on their way to Allahabad from Lucknow via Rae Bareli to take part in Janvadi Vichar Andolan Bharat (JAVAB) campaign.

"When we reached Rae Bareli and stopped our vehicle to distribute a few leaflets, the incident happened," she said.

JAVAB is a platform of social activists, artists, writers and professionals to advocate secularism and counter communal forces in the forthcoming elections.

She said the whole incident took place barely 100 metres from the Gadaganj police station. Hashmi alleged that she met the SHO and narrated the incident but the police "refused" to file an FIR. "I did write a formal complaint, but the police refused to register it," she claimed.