Congress Declares October 8 as Black Day for Indian Democracy
Party directs protests across states, districts and blocks as Opposition leaders continue demonstrations over the SIR row
New Delhi: The Congress has declared October 8 as a “Black Day for Indian Democracy” and called for nationwide protests following the detention of Opposition leaders during demonstrations in Delhi over the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.
Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal has directed all Pradesh Congress Committees, District Congress Committees and Block Congress Committees to organise protests at the state, district and block levels on Thursday.
The announcement came after Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and other INDIA bloc MPs were stopped by Delhi Police while attempting to proceed towards Jantar Mantar during protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Several leaders were detained and later released.
In its statement, the Congress alleged that its leaders and other Opposition MPs were subjected to force during the police action. The party described the incident as an attack on the Constitution and said it would continue its campaign until its demands concerning the Election Commission and electoral rolls are addressed. These are allegations and political claims made by the Congress.
The Congress leadership has also asked all its Members of Parliament to remain in Delhi on October 8 as the Opposition prepares for further protests. The move is aimed at maintaining the momentum of the ongoing campaign over the SIR process and the Election Commission.
The protests are linked to the wider Opposition campaign against the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. Opposition parties have raised concerns over alleged wrongful deletion of voters and have demanded accountability from the Election Commission, while the Commission has maintained its position on the SIR process.
The Congress has called for widespread mobilisation across the country on Thursday, while Opposition parties continue to hold demonstrations in Delhi and other parts of the country.