The Congress has demanded a judicial inquiry into the sordid episode involving Tablighi Jamaat, wondering how such a big congregation was allowed in mid-March when restrictions were already in force because of the coronavirus threat.

Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot told a news conference in Delhi: “It is a serious issue. When the nation was engaged in the fight against the coronavirus without any considerations of caste, class and religion, this Delhi event allowed some people to give a communal twist. Why was this not stopped? We would not have allowed this in our state.”

Gehlot added: “Why didn’t the government act tough? Who could have objected if the violators were immediately arrested? Which agency abdicated its responsibility -– state government, central government, police, bureaucracy? I think a judicial probe is needed, maybe by a retired Supreme Court judge.”

Party’s communication chief Randeep Surjewala, who too was present at the news conference conducted through video-conferencing, said: “Anybody violating the rules of lockdown should have been punished. Maharashtra government did not give permission for a similar event of Tablighi Jamaat. Who gave permission for the Delhi event? The law and order in Delhi comes under the Union home ministry. Why was the event allowed to continue after it was found out that so many people have assembled there?”

Surjewala added: “Is it true that home minister Amit Shah sent National Security Adviser Ajit Doval at 2am in the night to meet the Jamaat chief at their office? Why was the NSA sent? What transpired between the Maulana and Doval at the midnight meeting? Why was the Maulana who organised the event allowed to escape? The Centre must deal with the issue in a transparent manner, every aspect should be investigated.”