Italia was detained from outside the office of the National Commission of Women (NCW) in the national capital by Delhi Police earlier on Thursday.
“Due to heavy pressure from the people of Gujarat, the Delhi Police had to release Gopal Italia. The people of Gujarat won,” tweeted AAP national convenor and Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal.
Italia was summoned by the NCW today for questioning . He had recently stoked controversy over a purported remarks asking Hindu women not to go to temples and “katha” (sermons by Hindu priests) as they are places of exploitation.
Earlier this week, a video of Italia had also gone viral in which he was heard berating the Prime Minister and making derogatory remarks. While Italia was at the NCW office, several Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) workers gathered in large numbers outside to protest against the summon.
Taking to Twitter, NCW president Rekha Sharma had shared a photograph and said,” All the @AamAadmiPartyhulligons are outside my office creating a ruckus. @CPDelhi @SouthwestDcp @PMOIndia.”
All the @AamAadmiParty hulligons are outside my office creating ruckus. @CPDelhi @SouthwestDcp @PMOIndia https://t.co/7N698OAcRK
— Rekha Sharma (@sharmarekha) 1665645447000
“His statement and his written statement don’t match. I’ve told police that action should be taken against him because he was creating an atmosphere to impact the law and order situation. His supporters attempted to enter(NCW office) forcefully,” Rekha Sharma said.
She told reporters after the hearing that Italia had claimed that he was not the person in the video in a verbal statement. However, in his written response, he said he did not mean it.
AAP sees conspiracy
AAP sees conspiracy The Aam Aadmi Party had slammed the action by Delhi Police and alleged conspiracy against the party.
Why is the entire BJP behind Gopal Italia? https://t.co/s8TZnAZfXc
— Arvind Kejriwal (@ArvindKejriwal) 1665648654000
Party national convenor and Delhi chief minister took to Twitter and said Italia’s detention has caused resentment among the Patel community of Gujarat.
Gopal Italia is a descendant of Sardar Patel, not afraid of your jail#ISupportGopalItalia https://t.co/xrBIu32vR8
— Raghav Chadha (@raghav_chadha) 1665653205000
Italia himself termed the BJP an enemy of the Patidars and alleged threats by the NCW chief.
(With inputs from agencies)