Richa Parashar, the pregnant journalist who allegedly was pushed by Rahul Gandhi inside the Supreme Court premises during Tuesday's INDIA bloc march, recounted her experience from the hospital bed, saying she was excited to take the Congress leader's byte but was shocked after the incident.
She said, "I am a journalist. It was my duty to cover the protest. Though I was not covering the protest, another reporter was on the ground. I was inside the Supreme Court premises. There were two gates; Rahul Gandhi was about to exit through one, and the other wasn't crowded. I was standing at the gate through which Rahul Gandhi was supposed to exit. I was excited for his byte on my mic ID. I thought it was a big day for me. When he exited, everyone stood at the gate."
Parashar added that she wasn't asking a question but taking only his byte when Gandhi held her shoulder and pulled her. She added that his guards pushed her, causing her to fall on the stairs.
She also said that Rahul Gandhi pushed her cameraperson. "Everything within a few seconds. Rahul Gandhi moved forward; he held this (gesturing to her shoulder) and pulled. I could feel his strength. His guards pushed me. On video, my cameraman can be seen being elbowed by Rahul Gandhi; he fell down. I shouted and pleaded not to be pushed. But I was pushed; I fell down the stairs. My phone screen was cracked...I said Rahul Gandhi had pushed me. But his people kept chanting 'Rahul Gandhi zindabad' to drown out my voice," she said.
Parashar said that her seniors asked her to speak up against the incident on social media. Parashar revealed that she didn't tell anyone about the pregnancy.
She was taken to Ganga Ram Hospital after a complaint of slight pain. "I was brought to a hospital, and I complained of slight pain in my stomach. So, then I was taken to Ganga Ram Hospital. I hadn't disclosed my pregnancy to anyone or my organisation; I wanted to do so after NT/NB Scan...Doctors told me to get an X-ray done as I had fallen down. It was then that I told a nurse about my pregnancy. She informed the doctor. Then my X-ray wasn't done. I was sent for an ultrasound, and it was done. I started vomiting, so I was told to be admitted to the hospital," Parashar told news agency ANI.
Hitting out at Rahul Gandhi over the incident, Parashar said, "Shame on you, Rahul Gandhi. They trended 'Smash Patriarchy'. Will they smash it like this? They are saying, 'Why did I enter the crowd if I am pregnant. I am a journalist too. That is my job. My voice will be emboldened now, as the entire nation is standing with me..."