New Delhi: As Congressmen embark on a special campaign , "Save Democracy" or "Loktantra Bachao Mashaal Shanti" from Red Fort, on Tuesday evening, the protest against the centre, in response to the unlawful expulsion of Rahul Gandhi from the LokSabha, is expected to gain momentum in the upcoming days. The march will witness participation from all Congress MPs and leaders and culminate at New Delhi's Town Hall.
Meanwhile, Rahul Gandhi has decided to vacate his official residence within a period of 30 days, following a notice served to him. Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge has condemned the Centre's actions, stating that they are attempting to harm Rahul Gandhi using any means necessary. Kharge has extended an invitation to Gandhi, offering him the option of staying with his mother or making use of a room made available by him. Kharge has expressed his opposition towards the government's use of tactics such as intimidation, fear, and threats.
On Monday, there was a rare display of unity among the opposition parties as they continued to extend their support to Rahul Gandhi, cutting across party lines. Even the Trinamool Congress (TMC) showed solidarity with the cause by participating in the protest after attending a meeting of opposition parties convened by Congress President and Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge.
The opposition leaders also expressed their disapproval towards Gandhi's "illegal exclusion" from the House by wearing black clothing as a mark of protest.
Congressman K C Venugopal, in a press conference, highlighted the widespread support their cause has garnered from the Indian population, as their entire cadre remains actively engaged in the movement.
He further added that the party workers have been diligently following the guidance of leaders such as Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, and the campaign and agitation will only gain momentum in the days to come.
As a part of the movement, press conferences have been scheduled across the nation on March 28 and 29, followed by district and block level press conferences organized by the PCCs.
Campaign to draw attention to corruption
According to a report by news agency PTI, senior Congressman Ajay Maken stated on Tuesday that the Congress' campaign following Rahul Gandhi's "hasty disqualification" from the Lok Sabha is intended to protect democracy and draw attention to corruption in the nation.
According to the report, Maken also reaffirmed the party's call for the formation of a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) to look into the accusations against the Adani Group. Why, given that a JPC will have the most members, are they (the BJP) so apprehensive about creating one?
The JPC is required, according to him, "to reveal the relationship between Modi and Adani and to uncover the shell firms that are directly tied to national security as there is a potential that these companies have direct backing from China and Pakistan."
Look at the series of events that led to Gandhi's hurried disqualification after he raised important concerns in Parliament about the connections between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Adani. According to the PTI report, Maken claimed that Rahul Gandhi was disqualified rather than receiving an explanation on the questions raised by him.
‘Jai Bharat satyagraha’ till April 8
Beginning on March 29, Congress requests "Jai Bharat Satyagraha" at the Block and Mandal levels.
On Tuesday, Congress leader K C Venugopal during a news conference at the All India Congress Committee (AICC) headquarters said that Block and Mandal committees across India will hold Jai Bharat Satyagraha from March 29 to April 8.
"There will be corner meetings at the Block and Mandal levels," he stated. "In such sessions, everything will be explained, including the vengeful tactics of the Narendra Modi government and the theft of the Adani scandal."
Lack of enthusiasm in Wayanad
As a part of the nationwide satyagraha organized by the Congress party to protest the removal of Rahul Gandhi as the Lok Sabha MP, over 50 Congressmen demonstrated in Kalpetta, Kerala on Sunday. They were seen seated on chairs arranged on a sidewalk in front of a garlanded image of Mahatma Gandhi.
Kalpetta serves as the administrative center of the Wayanad district, the Lok Sabha seat that became vacant on Friday after Rahul Gandhi was found guilty in a defamation case and handed a two-year prison sentence by a Surat court. The case pertained to his remarks from 2019 about the Modi surname
Despite three days having passed since Rahul's disqualification, the fire generated by the Congress in Delhi, where the entire opposition has rallied around the leading Congressman, has not been replicated in the Wayanad seat.
United States keeping tab
An official has stated that Washington continues to engage with India on the shared commitment towards democratic principles and the protection of human rights, including freedom of expression. In the meantime, the United States is keeping an eye on the court case of Congress party leader Rahul Gandhi.
At around 11.40 p.m. IST, Vedant Patel, the deputy spokesperson for the US State Department, was questioned about the expulsion of the Congress lawmaker from the Parliament and whether he thought that was in keeping with democratic principles.
"Respect for the rule of law and judicial independence is a cornerstone of any democracy, and we're watching Mr. Gandhi's case in Indian courts, and we engage with the Government of India on our shared commitment to democratic values- including, of course, freedom of expression," Patel said.
MLA fined for tearing the PM's photo
Anant Patel, a Congress lawmaker from Gujarat's Navsari, was fined Rs. 99 by a court in a 2017 case in which he was accused of breaking into the vice chancellor's office of an agriculture university and ripping the Prime Minister Narendra Modi's photograph during a student protest.
Mr. Patel, an MLA from the Vansda (Scheduled Caste) constituency, was found guilty of criminal trespass in accordance with Section 447 of the Indian Penal Code by the court of Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate AV Dhadhal.
In May 2017, Jalalpore police charged Mr. Patel and six others, including Young Congress members, with violating IPC Sections 143 (illegal assembly), 353 (assault), 427 (mischief causing loss of $50 or more), 447 (criminal trespass), and 504 (intentional insult).
Three of the defendants were found guilty of criminal trespass by the court, and they were given the option of serving a simple seven-day sentence or paying a fine of ₹99.
According to Section 447 of the IPC, the prosecution asked for the maximum penalty for Mr. Patel, a three-month jail sentence, and a ₹500 fine.
The FIR, according to the defense, was the consequence of political vengeance because the defendants are Congress opponents.
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