Congress MP Rahul Gandhi has voiced strong criticism against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the RSS in response to the crackdown on protesters in Delhi demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Despite the arrests, Gandhi affirmed the resilience of the protest movement.
Rahul Gandhi Challenges the Government
Rahul Gandhi, leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, accused Prime Minister Modi and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh of cowardice during the police crackdown on protests in Delhi. He posted a video on X, where he asserted that no number of arrests would stop the movement.
“Mr. Modi, do whatever you want. Call out all the police: 10,000, 20,000, 50,000, whatever you want. Arrest all the leaders. Arrest all the young people. Arrest us all,” Gandhi said. He emphasized that protesters were surrounding the government and would not back down.
Calling Out Key Figures
Gandhi referred to Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, CEC Gyanesh Kumar, and National Security Adviser Ajit Doval as the “villains of this story.” He stated they were feeling the squeeze as protesters close in and vowed that the movement would continue to defend the Constitution and protect the voice of the people.
“I’ve been fighting Narendra Modi and the RSS for over a decade now. I understand them like you would understand your opponent – inside out, like the back of my hand. The core characteristic of these people is cowardice.”
Supporting the Youth
Ending his message, Rahul Gandhi expressed pride in the youth leading the protests. “I’m proud of you youth of India. Keep on protesting. We stand with you,” he said.
Mass Detentions in Delhi
The protests resulted in mass detentions across Delhi. Over 3,500 people were detained, including Cockroach Janta Party office-bearers, journalists, YouTubers, lawyers, activists, and opposition leaders from Aam Aadmi Party, Mamata All India Trinamool Congress, and Communist Party of India (Marxist).
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke and office-bearers Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were taken into preventive custody upon arrival at Delhi airport. YouTube influencer Dhruv Rathee and CJP legal cell head Ratna Singh were also arrested, alongside student and political activists like Neha Bora and Yogendra Yadav.
Additional reports indicated that protesters traveling to Delhi were being detained in other states or placed under house arrest.
Rahul Gandhi’s Outreach in Chennai
On the day of the protests, Gandhi visited Chennai to participate in the Congress’s youth outreach program ‘Chhatron Ki Goonj’ and meet with students. He also held discussions with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay ahead of the event.
