Kashmiri youth assaulted at INDIA Bloc protest asks: Congress brought EVMs, why blame Modi now?
Synopsis
A Kashmiri man who claims he was beaten at an INDIA Bloc protest in Connaught Place has turned the EVM debate on its head — pointing out that Congress introduced EVMs under Rajiv Gandhi in 1989 and won big in 2004 and 2009 using the same machines. His assault and the viral video of it have set off a fresh political row, with BJP accusing Congress workers of an 'anarchist mindset.'
Key Takeaways
Faheem Nazir Shah , a Kashmiri man, was allegedly assaulted at an INDIA Bloc protest in Connaught Place, New Delhi on 9 October 2026 .
Shah challenged Congress, noting the party introduced EVMs in 1989 under Rajiv Gandhi and won elections by large margins in 2004 and 2009 using them.
He sustained injuries to his eye and arm ; Delhi Police registered an FIR following his complaint.
Protesters alleged Shah had verbally abused Rahul Gandhi before the altercation; Shah denied this, citing the content of his poster.
BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari shared a viral video of the assault, accusing Congress workers of an 'anarchist mindset.'
Faheem Nazir Shah, a Kashmiri man who alleged he was assaulted by protesters at an INDIA Bloc demonstration in Connaught Place, New Delhi, on 9 October 2026, hit back at the opposition on Friday, questioning why Congress was blaming Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Election Commission of India over Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) when the party itself introduced them.
Shah's Core Argument on EVMs
'You (Congress) are the one who introduced EVMs in 1989; Congress did it; Rajiv Gandhi introduced the EVM,' Shah said, addressing Congress directly. He pointed out that the 2004 and 2009 general elections were both conducted via EVMs, and Congress won both with substantial majorities. 'But since Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been winning continuously since 2014, you now allege that there is vote theft through EVMs,' he added.
Shah further stated that critics were labelling Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar a 'thief' working for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) — charges he called unfounded given Congress's own historical reliance on EVM-based elections.
What Happened at the Protest
According to Shah, he arrived at the protest site on Thursday carrying a poster that read: 'I am a fan of the world's biggest Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi. Rahul Gandhi Prime Minister se maafi mango!' He said the poster also challenged claims of 'Vote chori' (vote theft) through EVMs and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
A video circulating on social media reportedly shows Shah being surrounded, pushed, dragged, and repeatedly struck by individuals in the crowd. The protesters, however, alleged that Shah had verbally abused Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, before the altercation.
Shah said he sustained injuries to his eye and arm. 'I am grateful to Delhi Police, Connaught Place Police, the SHO, and his entire team. I came here with a complaint. They took timely action and registered my FIR,' he said.
Political Fallout and BJP Response
The incident triggered swift condemnation from BJP leaders. BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari shared the video on social media, accusing Congress workers of displaying an 'anarchist mindset.' The episode has added fresh fuel to an ongoing political dispute over EVM integrity and the conduct of opposition protests.
Broader Context
The protest was part of the INDIA Bloc's wider campaign questioning the credibility of EVMs ahead of upcoming elections. Opposition parties — led primarily by Congress — have repeatedly demanded a return to paper ballots, alleging systemic manipulation. The government and the Election Commission have consistently rejected these claims. Notably, EVM-related controversies have resurfaced with regularity since the BJP's successive electoral victories beginning in 2014, even as multiple Supreme Court petitions challenging EVMs have been dismissed.
The alleged assault on Shah is likely to sharpen accusations of intolerance within opposition-led demonstrations, while Congress faces renewed pressure to address the conduct of its supporters at public events.
Point of View
And the viral footage will be weaponised effectively by BJP ahead of any upcoming polls. The EVM controversy, meanwhile, risks being drowned out by the optics of the assault itself.
NationPress
9 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Faheem Nazir Shah and what happened to him?
Faheem Nazir Shah is a Kashmiri man who alleged he was assaulted by protesters at an INDIA Bloc demonstration in Connaught Place, New Delhi, on 9 October 2026. He sustained injuries to his eye and arm, and Delhi Police registered an FIR based on his complaint.
Why did Shah go to the INDIA Bloc protest?
Shah said he arrived at the protest site carrying a poster expressing support for Prime Minister Narendra Modi and challenging Congress's claims of EVM-based vote theft. He denied allegations by protesters that he had verbally abused Rahul Gandhi.
What is Shah's argument about EVMs and Congress?
Shah argued that Congress introduced EVMs in India in 1989 under Rajiv Gandhi, and the party won the 2004 and 2009 general elections by large margins using the same machines. He questioned why Congress is now alleging EVM manipulation only after the BJP began winning elections from 2014 onward.
How did the BJP respond to the alleged assault?
BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari shared a viral video of the incident on social media, accusing Congress workers of displaying an 'anarchist mindset.' Several other BJP leaders also condemned the alleged assault.
What is the INDIA Bloc protesting about?
The INDIA Bloc, led primarily by Congress, has been campaigning against EVMs and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, alleging systemic manipulation. The Election Commission of India and the government have repeatedly rejected these allegations, and multiple Supreme Court petitions challenging EVMs have been dismissed.
