'Destroying democracy': Rahul Gandhi attacks PM over Delhi protest crackdown

Amid ongoing protests against CEC Gyanesh Kumar, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday alleged that "Mogambo Modi" is destroying India's democracy, asserting that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will pay for the crimes he has committed against the country.

The Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha also accused Modi of attacking docmocracy directly and indulging in "vote chori".

Also Read |45 Delhi Metro stations to remain closed till 10 PM amid CJP protests in national capital


"PM Modi is silencing voices; as you saw in Delhi, the entire city was shut down, and police were beating students. The BJP also unleashed its goondas who beat up students," Gandhi said at the sixth edition of his youth outreach initiative, 'Chhatron Ki Goonj', in Chennai.

Before Chennai, 'Chhatron ki Goonj' was held in Kota, Dehradun, Prayagraj, Pune and Indore.

Also read: Delhi CJP Protest Today: What's happening at Jantar Mantar? Here's what we know so far

"The problem is, Mr Modi does not understand that the game is over. The drama that he has been doing for the past 15 years is coming to an end. We will ensure that Modi pays for the crimes he has committed against the country," Gandhi said.

"Mogambo Modi" is destroying India's democracy, he added, likening the prime minister to the dreaded villain from the Bollywood hit 'Mr. India' played by the late Amrish Puri.

As Gandhi delivered the line, the screen behind him played a scene from the 1987 movie with Modi's face superimposed on Amrish Puri.

The Congress leader said his message to students is that they should not fear anything, stressing that all those who attacked the Constitution and democracy will be brought to justice.

Gandhi also alleged that Prime Minister Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah have launched a "full-scale attack" on Tamil culture, language and history.

"Amit Shah openly says that Hindi will be imposed on Tamil Nadu. It is Modi and Shah who are stifling curiosity. This is happening through the New Education Policy; a three-language formula has been imposed," he said.

Claiming that Tamil Nadu is being punished through the design of delimitation, he said, "We will not allow Modi to attack Tamil culture, language and history."

Gandhi also said that questioning is the foundation of progress, and democracy itself emerges from curiosity and asking questions.

"Modi and Shah are destroying the foundation of curiosity," he alleged.

Congress to hold protest on Oct 12

Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal on Saturday called for a protest march against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) matter on October 12 in Delhi.

In a post on X, Venugopal appealed to every common person to join them in a massive protest march against the alleged nationwide vote theft orchestrated by the regime of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

"We appeal to every Indian concerned about the survival of Indian democracy to join us in a massive protest march in Delhi on Monday - against the nationwide Vote Chori orchestrated by the Modi-Shah regime," said Venugopal.

The Congress General Secretary further stated that he held a comprehensive meeting with various leaders to prepare for the march. He said a delegation of senior leaders will submit a memorandum to the Chief Justice of India (CJI) seeking his intervention in the crisis.

"INDIA MPs, leaders, workers and all concerned citizens will be holding a huge protest march against Gyanesh & Co, and a delegation of our senior leaders will submit a memorandum to the Hon’ble CJI for his intervention in this crisis. Gyanesh must go. There will be no backing down," added Venugopal.

Delhi police detain 7,000 protestors

Delhi Police on Saturday detained more than 7,000 protesters, who were trying to reach Jantar Mantar for the proposed CJP stir against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, reported PTI.

Sources told PTI that the protesters were detained across the New Delhi area and other districts, where police are using drones to monitor movement of people attempting to reach the protest site.

The protesters were detained from several places, including near Regal Cinema, Minto Bridge and near Akashwani Bhawan.

Ahead of the Cockroach Janta Party's (CJP) proposed protest at Jantar Mantar, police sources said over 600 people with criminal records were also detained across all the districts of the national capital as part of preventive measures.

The preventive action is aimed at ensuring that people with criminal backgrounds do not create a law-and-order situation during the proposed demonstration, the sources said.

Police are also keeping a close watch on the movements of certain people, who could mobilise crowds or influence others to participate in the proposed protest, the sources said.

Surveillance has been intensified outside the residences of such people as part of the security measures, they added.

Special Commissioner of Police (Law & Order) Devesh Srivastava told PTI, "We have made elaborate security arrangements today and areas neighbouring bordering states have been picketed in coordination with neighbouring police force. Senior officers have been deployed. Along with that we are getting cooperation from citizens and our community policing teams like Aman Committee are working."

Police have appealed to citizens to not participate in the protests, he said.

"The situation is under control. People who are going to Jantar Mantar are being detained as we had already said that no permission for such protest is granted," the senior police officer said.

Police personnel have been deployed at strategic locations across the city, particularly in areas leading to Jantar Mantar and other sensitive locations, to prevent any untoward incident.

The security arrangements include heightened surveillance and monitoring of the movement of people suspected of attempting to disrupt law and order. Police are also keeping a close watch on possible mobilisation efforts ahead of the proposed demonstration.

Police have said that prohibitory orders are in force in the New Delhi area and appealed to people to abide by the restrictions.

Security arrangements have been tightened across Delhi in view of the proposed protest, with personnel deployed to maintain law and order and prevent any unauthorised gathering, the sources added.

The CJP has called the proposed demonstration against the CEC over allegations of voter-list manipulation during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and changes relating to Form 6, used for voter registration.