Ajit Karn
After the disqualification of Rahul Gandhi from the Lok Sabha, opposition leaders criticized the government, and the Congress said it will initiate a people’s moment on the issue. While Congress leaders such as Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Mallikarjun Kharge rallied behind Rahul Gandhi, opposition leaders such as Mamata Banjerjee, K Chandrashekar Rao, MK Stalin, Hemant Soren, Arvind Kejriwal, Sharad Yadav, Uddhav Thackeray, and Akhilesh Yadav attacked the BJP-led government.
Congress applauded the support of opposition leaders and stated that the task of fostering opposition unity must be undertaken methodically. It expressed confidence in the case’s legal resolution. The evening meeting was attended by party leader Mallikarjun Kharge and Sonia Gandhi in order to determine the next course of action.
Left party leaders and the Janata Dal-Secular also criticized the government. Some of them referred to the event as a “black day” for Indian democracy.
Anurag Thakur, minister of information and broadcasting, and Dharmendra Pradhan, minister of petroleum and natural gas, conducted a joint press conference in which they claimed that Rahul Gandhi considers himself superior to parliament, the government, the judiciary, and the country.
He suggested that Rahul investigate the “conspiracy” within Congress to depose him.
Thakur stated that Rahul Gandhi was granted parole in seven cases and had apologized in the past.
“‘Bhagwan ki ghar der hai par andher nahi’. Rahul Gandhi himself stated, “Unfortunately, he is a member of parliament.” He was liberated from his misfortune today. Along with him, the residents of Wayanad were also freed,” Thakur stated at a press conference alongside union minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
He stated that despite being a longtime representative from Amethi, Rahul Gandhi “never asked” about the welfare of his former constituents.
“In all his years as a member of Congress, he only participated in 21 debates. He never introduced a single private member’s measure, but openly criticized the law of his own government as nonsensical. Thakur stated that Rahul Gandhi considers himself to be superior to parliament, the government, the judiciary, and the country.
According to him, in 2018, Rahul Gandhi submitted a written contrition to the Supreme Court for his imprudent remarks.
“The court also warned him not to repeat such an error in the future. But in 2019, he used foul language, labelled insults, and made derogatory remarks on multiple occasions. His fundamental belief was that he was above the law and that nothing could ever happen to him.
“As a result of the Supreme Court’s ruling in the Lily Thomas case, it is crystal clear that if you are convicted for two years or more, you are deemed suspended unless and until the conviction is declared null and void. Parliament merely provided notice. It has nothing to do with the Speaker. It was carried out in accordance with Section 8 of the Representation of the People Act and Section 102(1) E of the constitution, he explained.
Thakur stated that as soon as this sanction is administered, his membership will definitely be terminated.
“Rahul Gandhi must investigate this well-thought-out purification system, a conspiracy hatched within the Congress to remove him. Who within the Congress desires to eliminate Rahul Gandhi? There are prominent attorneys in Congress. Was there not a single individual who could have given him sound advice, or was he intentionally misled?” Thakur inquired.
He claimed that Rahul Gandhi insulted an entire group (OBC).
Pradhan stated that Rahul Gandhi was found guilty of defamation and sentenced to two years in prison.
“According to the law, a conviction disqualifies an individual from parliament membership. The Congress party and Rahul’s family desire a separate Indian Penal Code (IPC) for him. According to the IPC, he should not be convicted. They desire a separate legal system for him. “However, they fail to comprehend that in a democracy, the law applies equally to everyone,” Pradhan stated.
Attacking the Modi administration, AAP leader and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal stated that those who wish to “destroy the nation” should remain in the BJP, whereas those who wish to “save the nation from destruction” should depart.
“Never before in India’s history has there been a prime minister with only a high school diploma. He is incapable of governing the country and is guided by his ego. I urge every Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) leader to consider fleeing the party, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi is destroying the country. “Those who want to see the nation destroyed can remain with the BJP, but those who wish to save it must leave,” Kejriwal stated.
“Now it will be up to the people of the country to combat this undemocratic regime. If we wish to save the nation, 130 billion Indians must step forward and lead the struggle. It makes no difference which party wins the election. Concerning is the manner in which our democracy is being tarnished and assaulted, he said.
Mamata Banerjee, the leader of the Trinamool Congress and the chief minister of West Bengal, stated that opposition leaders are being disqualified for their speeches, while BJP leaders with “criminal antecedents” are becoming ministers.
“In PM Modi’s New India, the BJP’s primary objective has become opposition leaders! While leaders of the BJP with criminal backgrounds are admitted to the cabinet, opposition leaders are disqualified for their speeches. Today, our constitutional democracy has reached a new nadir,” she wrote in a tweet.
K Chandrashekar Rao, leader of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi and chief minister of Telangana, stated that it was a black day in the annals of Indian democracy.
“The disqualification of Rahul Gandhi from Parliament is the pinnacle of Narendra Modi’s arrogance and dictatorship. This is not the time for parties to engage in conflict. “In order to protect the nation’s democracy and constitutional values, all democratic leaders must publicly condemn the BJP government’s misdeeds,” he stated.
Akhilesh Yadav, who has distanced himself from the Congress since their failed coalition in the 2017 assembly elections, also criticized the government.
“The political challenge does not conclude with the theft of one’s parliamentary seat. The largest movement is not one in Congress. This battle must be won on the streets. Akhilesh Yadav tweeted in Hindi that the individual who filed a defamation lawsuit should level a similar charge against those who betrayed their country and fled abroad.
MK Stalin, leader of the DMK and chief minister of Tamil Nadu, demanded an immediate review of the action taken against Rahul Gandhi.
Pinarayi Vijayan, chief minister of Kerala, stated that the decision to disqualify Rahul was made in “haste” and is “yet another chapter in the BJP’s authoritarian assault on Indian democracy.”
This blatant attack is an affront to our democratic values and cannot be ignored. It must be unequivocally condemned,” tweeted Vijayan.
Sharad Pawar, leader of the Nationalist Communist Party, stated that opposition leaders must unite to defend democratic institutions.
“Our constitution guarantees each Indian’s right to equitable justice, freedom of thought, equality of status and opportunity, and brotherhood, thereby assuring his or her dignity. The disqualification of Mr. Rahul Gandhi and Mr. Faizal from the Lok Sabha a few months ago is contrary to the fundamental principles of the constitution, which limit democratic values. This is reprehensible and contrary to the very principles upon which the Constitution was founded. We must all work together to defend our democratic institutions, he tweeted.
Uddhav Thackeray called it a “crime against democracy.”
The candidacy of Rahul Gandhi has been canceled. In our country, calling a thief a thief is now a criminal offense. Thieves and plunderers remain at large, while Rahul Gandhi was punished. This is the direct assassination of democracy. All govt systems are under duress. This marks the beginning of the dictatorship’s demise. “Only the battle requires direction,” he said.
Mallikarjun Kharge asserted that the BJP has been attempting to disqualify Rahul Gandhi.
“They (BJP) attempted every conceivable method to disqualify him. They do not want politicians who tell the truth. However, we will continue to defend the truth. We will continue to demand a JPC (in the Hindenburg-Adani dispute) and are willing to go to prison to protect democracy.”
The decision to disqualify Rahul from the Lok Sabha, according to the Chief Minister of Rajasthan, Ashok Gehlot, will “cost” the BJP dearly in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
“The government is perturbed since the Bharat Jodo Yatra concluded satisfactorily. The manner in which Rahul Gandhi, a patriot who hails from a family that participated in the liberation struggle and whose grandmother and father sacrificed their lives for the country, has been prevented from speaking in Parliament and even from entering the building is reprehensible. They (BJP) will be punished for this,” Gehlot told media.
“They had also hounded Indira Gandhi, and she was expelled from Parliament. They paid the price as a tide of support for Indira Gandhi returned her to office as prime minister with an overwhelming majority. I can confidently assert that due to recent events, our prospects in the 2024 election will be greatly enhanced. He added that people will not tolerate such a dictatorial government.
Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, a member of Congress, stated that Rahul’s disqualification was nothing more than a manifestation of vendetta politics.
“As Rahul Gandhi’s popularity has risen in the aftermath of the Bharat Jodo Yatra, it is evident that retributive politics are at play. The Modi administration cannot stomach his soaring popularity. This is an extremely callous display of an autocratic government, he said.
Rahul’s disqualification as a member of parliament, according to the leader of the Telangana Congress, Revanth Reddy, is nothing more than an attempt to divert public attention away from more pressing issues impacting the public.
“These are not participatory measures. The decision was made by exerting pressure on the Secretariat of the Lok Sabha. This was done to divert people’s attention from the primary issue. (JPC probe into the Adani Group). He stated that neither the Congress nor the Gandhis are afraid of the BJP.
“In the Rajya Sabha, PM Modi once referred to Congress leader Renuka Chowdhury as “Surpanakha.” Even though he was the Prime Minister, he made such a derogatory remark about her. They are only attempting to intimidate the Gandhi family, but we stand with them,” Reddy said.
Renuka Chowdhury announced that she will file a defamation lawsuit against the Prime Minister.
“In the House, this classless megalomaniac referred to me as Surpanakha. I will file a lawsuit for defamation against him. Let’s see how quickly our tribunals respond.”
Bihar minister and RJD leader Tej Pratap Yadav stated that the disqualification is part of a larger plot.
“The citizens of Bihar and the rest of the country can see what the BJP is doing. All of these decisions are made on their (the BJP’s) orders,” he stated.
Shashi Tharoor, a member of the Congress, stated that the disqualification of an elected member of Parliament sent a “poor signal” to the international community regarding the status of Indian democracy.
“I was astounded by this decision and, in particular, by the impropriety with which it was executed. This will undoubtedly be questioned by the attorneys. When the leader of the principal opposition party is treated in this manner, it sends a very negative message to the world about Indian democracy. “In a democracy, you cannot muzzle voices and still call yourself democratic,” Tharoor told media.
After Rahul Gandhi’s disqualification from the Lok Sabha on Friday, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra launched a scathing attack on the BJP-led government, alleging that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was shaken by questions on the Adani issue and that the Congress leader was a true patriot who had raised questions on matters of public interest.
Priyanka Gandhi stated in a series of tweets that the Nehru-Gandhi family has shed blood for the country and will never bow “before a dictator.”
“@narendramodi, your sycophants referred to Mir Jafar, the son of a martyred prime minister, as a traitor. One of your Chief Ministers posed the query, “Who is Rahul Gandhi’s father?” In keeping with Kashmiri Pandit custom, a son wears a turban after his father’s demise to continue the family tradition.
“Insulting the entire family and the Kashmiri Pandit community, you inquired in Parliament why they do not retain the Nehru surname…However, no judge imposed a two-year sentence on you.You were not expelled from the legislature… Rahul ji like a genuine patriot raised questions on Adani. “Raised doubts on Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi…. Your astonishment at the questioning of Gautam Adani’s ill-gotten gains suggests that he has risen in stature above India’s parliament and the general populace. The Congress leader said, “You call my family dynastic, but this family has shed blood for India’s democracy…which you are attempting to destroy (politically)”
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra stated that the Nehru-Gandhi family has fought for the truth and raised the voices of the people.
“The family you attempt to destroy (politically) has raised the voice of the Indian people and fought for truth for generations. Our blood’s specialty is that it has never and will never submit to a cowardly, power-hungry dictator like you. “No matter what you do,” she said.
At a press conference held at the party’s headquarters in the nation’s capital, Congress leaders Abhishek Manu Singhvi and Jairam Ramesh stated that Gandhi’s comments had shaken the BJP-led government.
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“The issue before us is more political than legal.” It is a political issue because it represents the ruling party’s systematic and repeated emasculation of democratic institutions. It represents the suffocation of democracy itself. We are aware that defamation is an exception to the right to free speech, but in recent years we have witnessed a number of unthinkable attacks on freedom of speech and, more significantly, freedom after speech. We are all aware that Rahul Gandhi has spoken without fear in and out of Parliament. “He is paying the price,” Singhvi stated.
“This administration is shaken because he presents facts and figures regarding demonetisation. Be it the alleged clean bill of health for China or the Goods and Services Tax, he is consistently aggressive and forthright in his interrogation. Singhvi asserted that the government is developing new methods to muzzle his voice.
Jairam Ramesh, who held a press conference following a meeting of Congress leaders, stated that the Congress embraces all opposition leaders’ statements.
“There was consensus that we should now undertake the systematic task of building opposition unity. Now, coordination must take place outside of parliament. It is gratifying to learn that some parties that were not a part of this floor coordination in parliament have also issued statements condemning Rahul Gandhi’s disqualification,” he added.
In 2019, Gandhi was convicted for his “Modi surname” comments made at an election rally in Karnataka.
