In a forceful statement from New Delhi, All India Mahila Congress president Alka Lamba declared the Congress party’s full solidarity with women activists and journalists who she says are fighting for justice amid troubling allegations of violence and suppression.

  • Alka Lamba emphasized support for a minor student activist, journalists Shaheen Khan and Nafisa Khan, and student activist Akriti Chaudhary.
  • She demanded legal action against Swatantra Bhardwaj, accused of assaulting a student activist’s father.
  • Lamba called for suspension of police personnel involved in alleged beatings of journalists and release of CCTV footage.

Standing with the Daughters

Speaking at a press conference on September 4, 2026, Lamba’s voice carried a mix of resolve and urgency. "The Congress stands with these daughters and will extend all possible support to ensure that they get justice," she stated, framing the party’s stance as a moral imperative. She specifically named Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition, as standing alongside those seeking redress.

Details of the Cases

Lamba detailed several incidents that have stirred public concern. She referenced an alleged assault on a student activist’s father during a protest at Jantar Mantar, asserting the student was merely exercising democratic rights. For this, she demanded action—including attempted murder charges—against Swatantra Bhardwaj, whom she described as a self-styled "Hindutva influencer." Lamba also accused Bhardwaj of using derogatory language against Dalits in a video.

Separately, she addressed accusations from journalists Shaheen Khan and Nafisa Khan, who claimed Delhi Police detained and beat them with sticks in Saket on September 4 while they covered an event attended by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Lamba pressed for immediate suspension of the involved officers and release of CCTV evidence.

She also noted the case of Akriti Chaudhary, arrested under the National Security Act in Noida—a detention order later quashed by the Allahabad High Court.

Demands for Accountability

Lamba’s appeals were clear and concrete: legal proceedings under appropriate statutes, transparency via footage release, and disciplinary measures against police. Her tone balanced factual recounting with palpable concern for what she framed as systemic injustices impacting young women and journalists.