Model turned politician Archana Gautam, known for her stint in Bigg Boss 16, was allegedly beaten up and manhandled outside the Congress office in New Delhi on Friday, September 29. According to reports, the incident occurred when Archana was visiting the party office along with her father. She wanted to meet Priyanka Gandhi and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge to congratulate them on the passing of the Women’s Bill in Parliament.
Archana in an exclusive interview with News18 Showsha has revealed that her father and driver have been severely injured in the incident.
“They did not allow us to enter the office and did not open the gates. We were told, ‘upar se aadesh hai aaki entry bandh hai (We have received orders that you are not allowed)’. I do not know the reason behind it," she told us.
Archana continued, “I escaped from there and somehow saved my life. I just went there to congratulate them. I thought I would be welcomed nicely because ever since Bigg Boss ended, I had not visited the party office. There were women too who misbehaved with me. I wonder how come they did not feel mercy."
While Archana has now returned to Mumbai, her father is back in their native place, Meerut (Uttar Pradesh). “My father is injured. My driver was hit on his head. This is not right. I am still fine. I will hold a press conference soon and will reveal the truth," she said.
Emotional Archana recounted the incident and said, “I was banging on cars parked on the road, hoping I could hide in one of those. They pulled my hair. It was no less than an on-road rape. I begged them with folded hands. My father was so scared."
A video of the incident has gone viral on social media, showing Archana and her father being pushed and attacked by a group of people, allegedly Congress workers. Her father fell on the ground, while Archana pleaded for help and water. It is reported that she was denied entry into the party office, which led to the altercation.
Bigg Boss 16 fame Archana Gautam and her father were allegedly beaten by the karyakartas of the Congress party.
They were stopped from entering the party office and were beaten at the gate itself.Archana, who is a big supporter of the Congress party, was trying to enter the… pic.twitter.com/GeYV6YHfnl— #BiggBoss_Tak👁 (@BiggBoss_Tak) September 29, 2023
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokesperson Shehzad Poonawall expressed his criticism about the incident on social media platform X. He stated that Congress member Archana Gautam, a strong supporter of the Congress and a prominent face of Priyanka Vadra’s ‘Ladki hoon’ campaign, along with her father, was attacked by members of the Congress party. He added that this happened because she stood up against the influential inner circle of the party's first family.
Congress member Archana Gautam- a staunch supporter of Congress & face of Priyanka Vadra’s “Ladki hoon” campaign & her father manhandled, beaten up by Congress men because she took on the 1st family coterie
Just yesterday - after drinking alcohol, Congress leader Manoj Bagri… pic.twitter.com/UJzR0JDQnD— Shehzad Jai Hind (@Shehzad_Ind) September 30, 2023
The reason behind the attack is yet to be known, but it is speculated that some female party workers criticised Archana for prioritising her acting career over her political responsibilities. The actress has not released any statement regarding the incident as of now.
This isn’t the first time Archana Gautam and her family have been involved in a controversy related to politics. In March, her father filed a complaint against Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's personal assistant Sandeep Kumar, accusing him of death threats and casteist remarks against his daughter, reported India Today.
Archana Gautam, a well-known face in the modelling industry, had a successful career before venturing into politics. She won the title of Miss Bikini India 2018, represented India at Miss Cosmos World 2018 and was crowned Miss Uttar Pradesh in 2014. Besides her modelling achievements, she appeared in cameo roles in movies such as Great Grand Masti, Baaraat Company and Haseena Parker.
Archana joined Congress in November 2021 and unsuccessfully contested the 2022 Uttar Pradesh Assembly Elections from the Hastinapur constituency against BJP's candidate Dinesh Khatik.
(Edited by : Sudarsanan Mani)
First Published: Sept 30, 2023 2:15 PM IST
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