Sending out a clear message to the Yogi Adityanath-led UP Government that victimization of minorities in UP will not be tolerated, Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi called up Dr Kafeel Khan’s wife Shabista on Friday, and assured her of all possible help. 

Sharing her personal number with Shabista, Priyanka enquired about the well being of Kafeel’s mother and his children over the phone.

This was the second time that Priyanka Gandhi spoke to Dr Kafeel Khan and his family within two days, signalling a change in Congress’ approach in dealing with the issues affecting the largest minority community in Uttar Pradesh. 

Gorakhpur-based paediatrician Dr Kafeel Khan, who is currently living in Jaipur, was released from Mathura jail following an order from the Allahabad HC on Wednesday. Granting him bail, the HC quashed charges slapped on him under the NSA.

A day after talking to the media in the Congress-ruled state; Dr Khan said he went to Jaipur on Priyanka’s advice because he was not feeling safe in UP.

Head of the UP Congress minority cell, Shahnawaz Alam who accompanied Dr Khan and his family to Jaipur, told NH that Congress will fight for the rights of the minority community in UP.

“We will fight with all our might against injustice meted out to the community by the BJP government in Uttar Pradesh,” said Alam. “Not only Dr Kafeel Khan in particular but all those who are being targeted by the BJP will be approached and provided assistance,” he added. 

Elaborating on the distinct style of Priyanka Gandhi’s politics, Alam said, “Priyanka Gandhi is in constant touch with the ground realities. She is not blindly dependent on Congress leaders for feedback. She has developed personnel rapport with people all across the state.”

Hailing the Allahabad High Court order, Priyanka Gandhi on Tuesday said that “it is expected that the UP government will release Kafeel Khan without any malice”. She has also congratulated all the “justice loving people” and party workers who had been making efforts for Dr Kafeel Khan’s release.It is important to note that the UP Congress’ minority cell had run a long campaign for the release of Dr Kafeel Khan.