The Congress today held a day-long satyagraha across the country on Sunday to protest party leader Rahul Gandhi's disqualification from the Lok Sabha following his conviction in a defamation case. The police denied permission for the protest, but the party went ahead with it. In Delhi, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge and general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra led the sankalp satyagraha at Raj Ghat.
Here are the highlights of Congress protests over Rahul Gandhi Disqualification:
Union minister Jitendra Singh on Sunday said the decision taken by the Lok Sabha Secretariat to disqualify Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was as per rules, and questioning the decision was like targeting the Constitution.
"Today, it is age of reasons. Whatever decision was taken by the Lok Sabha secretariat was taken as per rules," Mr Singh told reporters on the sidelines of a function in Kathua district.
He said to question the decision was to put a question mark on the Constitution, Indian democracy and the country's parliamentary system.
A 'sankalp satyagraha' protest was held by Congress on Sunday across Maharashtra against the disqualification of Rahul Gandhi as a Lok Sabha MP following his conviction by a Surat court in a criminal defamation case.
The protests were held at the headquarters of different districts.
In Nagpur, state Congress president Nana Patole led the demonstration along with former MP Vilas Muttemwar, MLA Vikas Thakre, MLC Wajahat Mirza, and MLC Abhijit Wanjari among others notwithstanding unseasonal showers.
"Rahul Gandhi's expose' against industrialist Gautam Adani and his nexus with Prime Minister Narendra Modi has resulted in the Union government taking such action (disqualification as MP) against him. After the Surat court's verdict, he was immediately disqualified as a Lok Sabha member. This highlights the hidden agenda of the BJP," Mr Patole claimed.
Taking a jibe at the Central government over Rahul Gandhi's disqualification from Lok Sabha, Trinamool Congress (TMC) leader Shatrughan Sinha on Sunday "thanked" PM Modi and said that this issue [Congress leader's disqualification] will provide ammunition to the opposition parties.
"Well, on the one hand, what they have done appears to be an example of Vinash Kale Viprit Buddhi (In adverse situations, people lose their ability to take sound decisions), but on the other hand, politically it will benefit a lot. It has given the opposition a weapon which will not only protect democracy but also help in giving an additional 100 seats to Rahul Gandhi and the Opposition," Shatrughan Sinha told ANI. "We appreciate it and thank our friend, PM Modi," he added.
The TMC leader said that Rahul Gandhi's disqualification has brought the opposition parties together.
Disqualification of Rahul Gandhi means hurting & ending democracy. We are making an effort to protect democracy. This is our peaceful Satyagraha. Further course of action will be decided...We'll legally appeal against this action (disqualification), & legal battle will be fought.... pic.twitter.com/rQCn78kbym
- ANI (@ANI) March 26, 2023
Several Congress functionaries were detained in Gujarat today during the party's 'Sankalp Satyagrah' agitation against the disqualification of their leader Rahul Gandhi as Lok Sabha MP following his conviction in a defamation case by a Surat court. Police detained state Congress chief Jagdish Tahor, Leader of Opposition in the Assembly Amit Chavda and senior leader Bharatsinh Solanki along with party workers when they arrived at Lal Darwaza in Ahmedabad to protest.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Sunday targeted Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and scoffed at the party's 'Sankalp Satyagraha' against the disqualification of Rahul Gandhi as an MP. "One who walks on the path of untruth cannot talk about Satyagraha," he said, adding that the inspiration was given by Mahatma Gandhi to follow the path of Satyagraha and those who weaken the democracy cannot do Satyagraha. Without naming anyone, he said that people steeped in corruption cannot do Satyagraha.
Such people are not disqualified from the Parliament, they are not sent to jail, and they are not stopped from contesting elections for years. They have insulted my family a lot of times, but we kept quiet: Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra pic.twitter.com/a8v0GZz6E9
- ANI (@ANI) March 26, 2023
Haryana Congress chief Udai Bhan said Rahul Gandhi has been raising his voice against the BJP-led Centre on various issues. "They want to silence his voice, but they are mistaken," said Haryana Congress chief.
Delhi | Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, party leaders Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Jairam Ramesh, KC Venugopal and other leaders arrive at Rajghat to protest against the disqualification of Rahul Gandhi as a member of Parliament. pic.twitter.com/13Kl3c9KNW
- ANI (@ANI) March 26, 2023
The Delhi Police has denied permission to the Congress for holding 'satyagraha' at Rajghat to protest against Rahul Gandhi's disqualification from the Lok Sabha, officials said on Sunday. In a letter, the Delhi Police said the request was rejected due to law and order and traffic reasons and prohibitory orders under Section 144 CrPC have been imposed in and around Rajghat.
