Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi (SHP)
New Delhi, Jan 16: An RTI application which has sought details of members who are part of the 'Tukde Tukde Gang', has caused sleepless nights for the department of Home Ministry. The term originated from the references made by PM Modi and Union Minister Amit Shah in several speeches they have addressed.
Meanwhile, the RTI application filed by senior journalist Saket Gokhle on December 26 last year is yet to receive an appropriate response over the definition of the term.
An India TV report stated that the term 'Tukde Tukde Gang' has not been mentioned in any report by intelligence and law enforcing agencies. Some officials said they believe this is frivolous RTI application.
Meanwhile, the petitioner Saket Gokhle says he is serious about his application. "If the home ministry does not reply by the January 26 deadline, I will file an appeal and take the matter to the Chief Information Commissioner," Gokhle said.
The journalist believes that when the Prime Minister or even the Union Minister refers to such a gang, then as per standard procedure, the home ministry maintains a list of members of this gang.
"They have to clarify about the list or say this (Tukde Tukde Gang) is a figment of imagination," he added.
The first time, the term 'Tukde Tukde Gang' was coined was after the February 2016 controversy in the Jawaharlal Nehru University where it was alleged that some people raised "anti-India slogans". However, a claim which is yet to be established by the Delhi Police.
Post that, several ministers have used the word, predominantly the right-wing leaders and specifically the BJP. It was majorly used to slam the JNU students like Kanhaiya Kumar, Shehla Rashid, Umar Khalid and others.
Which started with using the word for the JNU students, PM Modi, home minister Amit Shah, senior BJP leaders and Union ministers are now using it for the Opposition and those who have been critical of the Centre's rule.
In his RTI application, Saket Gokhle mentioned that on December 26, 2019, Home Minister Amit Shah addressed a public event in New Delhi, and in his address said, "The Tukde Tukde Gang of Delhi needs to be taught a lesson and punished."
Some of the other questions posed in Gokhle's RTI application are:
Here is the information which has been sought under RTI from the home ministry:
1. Please state the definition of 'tukde tukde gang' as identified by the Ministry of Home Affairs and whether a standard operating procedure (SOP) has been drawn up to identify this alleged gang.
2. Please state whether the Union Home Minister's reference to this alleged 'tukde tukde gang' was based on specific briefings by the ministry or other law enforcement agencies.
3. Please state whether the Ministry of Home Affairs has drawn up a list of leaders and members of the 'tukde tukde gang' that the Union Minister made a reference to.
4. Please state what penal action/punishment (and specifically under which sections of the [IPC and/other Acts) is the Ministry of Home Affairs planning against the members of the 'tukde tukde gang' as declared by the Union home minister.
In a tweet about his RTI application, Saket Gokhle said: "Apparently my RTI asking info on "who is the tukde tukde gang" and other details about it has left the Home Ministry stumped. Their deadline to respond expires in two weeks. Maanyavar--this is going to be fun."