Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Oct 11: Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Sunday released a video on social media, inviting people to join the Opposition parties’ march to the Supreme Court on Monday to submit a memorandum to Chief Justice of India Surya Kant over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).
“We will submit a memorandum to the Chief Justice on behalf of the nation, demanding an end to vote chori, halting of SIR and the resignation of Gyanesh Kumar,” Gandhi said in the video.
“Don’t be afraid. We will march together, with love, brotherhood and patriotism. Tomorrow, all of India will march to the Supreme Court,” he said, reiterating the demand for the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Referring to the youth protest in Delhi on Saturday, Gandhi alleged that the demonstrators had been beaten by police personnel and BJP workers despite participating in a peaceful agitation.
“Yesterday, the nation's youth came out in Delhi to peacefully protest. They came with love in their hearts, not hatred or anger. They were beaten, both by cops and BJP goons,” he said.
“This is not the India we want. Tomorrow, we will march to the Supreme Court as Indians, united beyond party, gender, caste, community and state,” Gandhi added.
He said youth, Opposition parties and civil society groups, along with all those who believed in democracy and stood by the Constitution, would participate in the march.
Gandhi further alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat could not silence the voice of the people.
“These cowards cannot intimidate us. They will have to step aside,” he said.
Earlier, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said Opposition leaders would seek a meeting with the Chief Justice of India to apprise him of their concerns. He alleged that Prime Minister Modi and Home Minister Shah were creating an atmosphere of chaos in the country.
Kharge said he had written to the CJI seeking an appointment and that Gandhi had also sent a letter. The Congress has sought a meeting between 4 pm and 5 pm on Monday.
“Tomorrow, we are also going to meet the Chief Justice of India. I have written a letter, and Rahul has also written a letter. We have sought a time between 4 and 5 pm. Now, let us see. We will also apprise him. We cannot demand anything from him. We will only request him with folded hands. These are the things that should be kept in mind,” Kharge said.
Alleging that the government was creating an atmosphere of fear ahead of the planned youth agitation, the Congress president also questioned the deployment of a large number of security personnel.