Rape, Death Threats Exacerbated After Dhruv Rathee's One-Sided Video: Swati Maliwal
Swati Maliwal, an AAP leader and Rajya Sabha MP, has made a statement accusing leaders and volunteers of her own party, AAP, of orchestrating a campaign of character assassination, victim shaming, and fanning of emotions against her. Following this campaign, according to Swati Maliwal, she has been receiving rape and death threats, and the former Delhi Women”s Commission chairperson posted images of threats she received on social media.
Maliwal claimed that these threats escalated after YouTuber Dhruv Rathee posted a one-sided video against her. She attempted to reach out to Rathee to share her version of events, but he ignored her calls and messages.
On May 18, Delhi Police arrested Bibhav Kumar, former personal secretary of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, in connection with the assault case filed by Swati Maliwal. Maliwal accused Kumar of physically assaulting her, including slapping and kicking her in the stomach. The police booked Kumar under stringent sections of the IPC. Kumar has also filed a complaint against Maliwal, alleging that she had abused him with the intention of assault.
“It is shameful that people like him, who claim to be independent journalists, could act like other AAP spokespersons and victim shame me to the extent that I am now facing extreme abuses and threats,” Maliwal stated on Rathee”s video.
Maliwal pointed out several facts that Rathee failed to mention in his 2.5-minute video:
- The party took a U-turn on its stand after initially accepting that the incident had happened.
An MLC report reveals injuries due to the assault. - A selected part of the video was released, and then the phone of the accused was formatted.
- The accused was arrested from the crime scene (CM house).
- Why was he allowed to enter the place again? For tampering of evidence?
- Maliwal questioned how a woman who always stood for the right issues and even went to Manipur alone without security could be accused of being bought over by the BJP.
“The manner in which the entire party machinery and its supporters have attempted to vilify and shame me speaks volumes about their stand on women”s issues,” Maliwal added. She has reported the rape and death threats to the Delhi Police and hopes they take strong action against the perpetrators.
Maliwal concluded, “In any case, if something happens to me, we know who all instigated it.”
Dhruv Rathee, whose videos on Indian politics are viral, has not responded to the allegations made by Maliwal.
