Who is Angkita Dutta? Know about the Assam Congress member who was expelled after accusing party leader of harassment

The Assam Youth Congress president, Angkita Dutta was expelled from the Congress party for six years citing her involvement in activities that go against the party's principles. However, the expulsion came just days after Dutta had previously accused the Indian Youth Congress chief, Srinivas B V, of causing her mental distress when she brought forward allegations of sexual harassment against former IYC president Keshav Kumar. The Bharatiya Janata Party criticized the Congress party for their treatment of Dutta, citing it as an example of the party's flawed approach to women's empowerment, despite their slogan of "ladki hoon, lad sak."

In a statement, All India Congress Committee (AICC) said, “Hon’ble Congress President has expelled Dr Angkita Dutta, President Congress Assam Pradesh Youth Congress, from the primary membership of the party, for six years, for her anti-party activities, with immediate effect”.

Who is Angkita Dutta?

Angkita Dutta studied political science and earned an LLB degree from Delhi University, as well as a PhD degree from Guwahati University. Her family has a long-standing affiliation with the Indian National Congress, spanning four generations. She actively took part in the 'Bharat Jodo Yatra' campaign led by Rahul Gandhi and contested internal organizational polls twice, eventually becoming a booth committee member.

Her father, Anjan Dutta, was a significant Congress leader in Assam, having served as the president of the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee and holding various ministerial positions in transport, industries, and public enterprises. Unfortunately, he passed away in 2016 at the AIIMS hospital in New Delhi at the age of 64.

Moreover, Angkita's grandfather, Thaneswar Dutta, was an active Congress member who supported Indira Gandhi during the party split in 1978. He also ran as a Congress candidate from Sivasagar LAC in the same year. These family connections highlight Angkita's deep roots in Congress and may have influenced her own political aspirations.

Earlier this month, Angkita Dutta posted a series of tweets alleging that BV Srinivas had been harassing her and discriminating against her based on her gender for six months. She also claimed that despite informing Rahul Gandhi about the issue several months ago, no action had been taken against Srinivas.

In her tweets, Dutta referred to Srinivas as "sexist" and "chauvinistic." She expressed concern about her ability to encourage other women to join if she, as a woman leader, had to face such harassment.

Dutta stated that despite her complaints, no investigation had been initiated against Srinivas, and she had been waiting for several months for action to be taken against him. She further alleged that Srinivas was getting away with wrongdoing under the guise of public relations.

BV Srinivas responded by sending a legal notice to Dutta, demanding a public apology and threatening legal action otherwise.

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