Congress workers create ruckus at collectorate over WhatsApp message

SURAT: Congress workers created ruckus at the district collectorate premises here on Thursday in protest against Surat district collector’s alleged joke on former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi that was circulated on a WhatsApp group recently.
The protest held under the leadership of Congress city unit president Hasmukh Desai saw party workers shout slogans against the district collector and demanded strict action against him.They wanted an offence to be registered against all those persons who had circulated the message ridiculing Gandhi.
Hasmukh Desai said, “We have submitted a memorandum to the police commissioner. We have demanded registration of an offence under Information Technology Act against the persons who had circulated this offensive message. We also demand that the district collector be removed from here for a free and fair probe in the matter.”
District collector Mahendra Patel on Wednesday said the message about Gandhi was mistakenly sent by him to an unintended group. Congress leaders had tried to meet the district collector, but he was not available.
When contacted, the collector said, “I have already clarified on the issue. I have nothing more to say.”