What Sparked the Opposition's 'March for Democracy' to the Supreme Court?
Opposition Leaders Rally for Democracy
New Delhi: On Monday, a significant gathering of opposition MPs and leaders, supported by hundreds of activists, initiated their 'March for Democracy' towards the Supreme Court. Their aim was to present a petition regarding allegations of 'vote theft' and to challenge Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Prominent figures leading the march included Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge, the Leaders of Opposition in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, alongside CPI's D Raja, CPI-M's M A Baby, RJD's Tejashwi Yadav, NCP-SCP's Supriya Sule, Shiv Sena-UBT's Sanjay Raut, CPI-ML's Dipankar Bhattacharya, and IUML's E T Mohammed Basheer.
Congress representatives such as Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Shashi Tharoor, Sachin Pilot, and Mukul Wasnik were also present, along with TMC's Sagarika Ghosh and activists like Yogendra Yadav, Nandita Narayan, and AISA's Neha Bora.
The leaders, along with a large contingent of supporters, gathered at the Constitution Club before proceeding to Barakhamba Road junction in four air-conditioned buses to commence their march to the Supreme Court.
As they made their way towards Barakhamba Road, they protested against the alleged 'vote theft' and the government's restrictions on their ability to demonstrate.
However, police intervened and halted the march at the barricaded Bhagwan Dass Road. Some leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and SP chief Akhilesh Yadav, climbed onto a vehicle to address the crowd.
Earlier, during a press conference, Rahul Gandhi announced the decision to march alongside other leaders from the INDIA bloc to file a petition against the Chief Election Commissioner and the 'vote theft' allegations, following the Chief Justice of India's refusal to meet with the Leaders of Opposition.
At the Congress headquarters, he urged the CEC to 'turn approver' and resign, asserting that the opposition's struggle was against the larger powers influencing him.
'Resign, turn approver; you (Kumar) have made a mistake, but you are not the mastermind behind it,' he stated.
Gandhi expressed that Gyanesh Kumar must be feeling the pressure, declaring, 'You will not last as CEC.'
He acknowledged that while there had been previous resistance, it had not escalated into public protests until now, emphasizing that this struggle would persist, regardless of how long it takes.
'People must continue protesting; saving the country cannot happen overnight,' he remarked, likening the current protests to a 'tandav' or divine dance.
'This is akin to Shiva's dance, and anyone can join Shiva's 'baraat' (wedding procession),' he added.
Gandhi also claimed that around 200 government officials were in contact with them, providing information.
The opposition's march was prompted by the Delhi Police's decision to remove Jantar Mantar as a designated protest site, instead naming three new locations for demonstrations.
The Congress party criticized the current administration, stating that democracy has lost its significance under their rule, referring to it as 'demokursi' and a clear indication of their 'panic.'
'The toxic duo is cornered, and we have witnessed their brutal response to peaceful protests in recent days,' Jairam Ramesh commented on social media.
'Democracy is no longer a priority for them; it has become a matter of Demokursi,' he added.
In response to the protests, Delhi Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar issued a standing order on October 11, designating Ramlila Maidan, Burari Ground, and CBD Ground in East Delhi as the new approved sites for protests and demonstrations.
This decision comes amid increased security measures in the capital following calls for protests at Jantar Mantar.