‘Assault on democracy’: South leaders across party lines support Rahul Gandhi

Parties across south India have expressed solidarity with Rahul Gandhi after he was disqualified as a Parliamentarian on Friday, March 24. The action comes amid a defamation case against the politician over a statement on PM Narendra Modi in 2019. Apart from Congress leaders in the south, leaders across party lines expressed solidarity with Rahul and slammed the ruling BJP. Condemning the action against him, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said, “The hasty disqualification of Rahul Gandhi from the Lok Sabha is the latest chapter in Sangh Parivar's assault on democracy.”

Rahul was convicted by a Surat court under defamation charges, regarding a statement he made against Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2019. However, the court granted him bail and suspended his sentence for 30 days to appeal in a higher court. A day later, on Friday, March 24, the Lok Sabha secretariat issued a notice that Rahul has been disqualified as a Member of Parliament. 

Bharat Rashtriya Samithi party national president and Tealangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao in his statement called it a black day in the history of Indian democracy. “Rahul Gandhi's disqualification from Parliament is the height of Narendra Modi's arrogance and dictatorship. It is highly reproachable that the Modi government is not only abusing constitutional institutions but also using the highest democratic platform- the Parliament for its nefarious activities. It is adverse time for democracy and constitutional values. Modi’s regime has overshadowed the Emergency. Harassment of opposition leaders has become a routine. Modi on his own is collapsing by disqualifying opposition leaders to protect criminals and cheaters. This is not the time for conflicts between parties. All democrats should openly condemn the misdeeds of the BJP government to safeguard democracy and constitutional values in the country.”

Telangana IT Minister and Bharat Rashtra Samiti (BRS) president KTR Rama Rao called it undemocratic, saying, “Disqualification of @RahulGandhi Ji is a blatant misinterpretation of Constitution. The hastiness showed in this issue is highly undemocratic. I condemn this! (sic).” 

Actor and chief of Makkal Needhi Maiam in Tamil Nadu, Kamal Haasan, also condemned Rahul’s disqualification and expressed solidarity. “Rahulji, I stand by you during these times! You have seen more testing times and unfair moments. Our judicial system is robust enough to correct aberrations in dispensation of justice. We are sure, you will get your justice on your appeal of the Surat Court’s decision. Satyameva Jayate!!(sic).”

Meanwhile, the Congress in Karnataka has expressed confidence in getting justice from the Gujarat High Court in the matter. “It is impossible to silence the voice of Shri @RahulGandhi through baseless law suits & propaganda,” Leader of Opposition Siddaramaiah said. Pointing out that the judgement of the Surat court is not final, he said, “Cowards throw fake propaganda & pose weak threats, & there is no question of bowing because of this. Fight for justice will continue & final victory will be ours.”

Slamming the BJP government for silencing criticism, he said, “@BJP4India govt is filing fake law suits against all those speaking against the govt. It is Rahul Gandhi today. It will be you tomorrow.”

Former Chief Minister, Siddiramaiah and also the leader of opposition in Karnataka has also reacted to it and said, “It is impossible to silence the voice of Shri @RahulGandhi through baseless law suits & propaganda. Shri Rahul Gandhi has always been voice of the marginalized.The entire nation is with Shri Rahul Gandhi. Judgement from Surat sessions court is not final. We are confident of getting justice in High Court. Cowards throw fake propaganda & pose weak threats, & there is no question of bowing because of this. Fight for justice will continue & final victory will be ours. This is not just about the freedom of speech for Shri @RahulGandhi, but for the people of our country. @BJP4India govt is filing fake law suits against all those speaking against the govt. It is Rahul Gandhi today. It will be you tomorrow.”

రాహుల్ గాంధీ పై అనర్హత వేటు ప్రజాస్వామ్యానికి, భావ ప్రకటన స్వేచ్ఛకు గొడ్డలిపెట్టు.
దేశ ఐక్యత - ప్రజాస్వామ్య పరిరక్షణ కోసం రాహుల్ “భారత్ జోడో యాత్ర” చేపట్టడం…
అదానీ - మోడీ చీకటి స్నేహం పై నిలదీయడం.
అదానీ కంపెనీల వ్యవహారాలపై జేపీసీ వేయాలని పార్లమెంట్ వేదికగా పోరాటం చేయడం… pic.twitter.com/zKK7Nmitph

— Revanth Reddy (@revanth_anumula) March 24, 2023

.@narendramodi govt has displayed its cowardness by disqualifying our leader Shri @RahulGandhi for speaking the truth.

This is a dark day in India's democracy.#IndiaWithRG pic.twitter.com/ICIdL2r6Td

— Siddaramaiah (@siddaramaiah) March 24, 2023

Politician and actor, Kamal Haasan has also reacted and said, “ Rahulji, I stand by you during these times! You have seen more testing times and unfair moments. Our judicial system is robust enough to correct aberrations in dispensation of justice. We are sure, you will get your justice on your appeal of the Surat Court’s decision. Satyameva Jayate!!”