'This is Shiv's baraat: Oppn leaders join Rahul Gandhi's march, move SC to halt SIR

New Delhi: INDIA bloc MPs, party functionaries and their youth and students activists on Monday staged an impressive and vociferous march for about four hours on buses and by foot from the Constitution Club on Rafi Marg to Barakhamba-Bhagwan Das road circle before they were stopped by the police, leaving a team of lawyers to submit on behalf of 10 Opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, fresh petitions in the Supreme Court registry for a stay on SIR and removal of CEC Gyanesh Kumar.

After the crowds and other leaders dispersed from the barricade spot, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Akhilesh Yadav, DK Shivkumar and D Raja briefly joined their lawyers at the SC registry. Opposition sources said they are hoping for at least an interim stay on SIR from SC on the matter 'now sub judice' to decide on future course.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who along with other bloc leaders led the march initially in a bus and then from atop a vehicle, said the Opposition will show "perseverance" to carry on with the protests until the CEC resigns and the election system revamped. The SC's response to this can have a bearing on their future plans. This was the fifth INDIA bloc MPs' protests since last week but the first where participation of non-Parliamentarian leaders and mobilisation from other states were called.


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The petition was filed after the Chief Justice of India turned down on Sunday night an Opposition request for a meeting to submit a memorandum to him, saying a meeting for discussing matters (against CEC and SIR) pending before the SC would violate judicial priority and the constitutional principle of separation of powers and that the court's doors are always open for anyone to file petitions. Gandhi, however, maintained that it was not a setback but the CJP was "opening an opportunity" to file a petition.

'It's Shiv Tandav'

Asked about the plan for a sustained protest, Gandhi said: "Shiv Tandav, Shiv's dance is underway. This is Shiv's barrat. Nothing is planned in it, things just happen. All are welcome to join". Gandhi claimed that the CEC has been trying to reach out to him.

On parallel protests, Gandhi said there are no parallel protests but one movement to protect the Constitution. He made no mention of CJP.