Rahul’s disqualification: ‘Police denies permission’, Cong’s Sankalp Satyagraha called off in Ahmedabad

© Provided by The Indian Express congress satyagraha gujarat rahul gandhi Congress supporters being detained by police during a protest against disqualification of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi from Lok Sabha, in Ahmedabad, Sunday, March 26, 2023. (PTI Photo)

The Congress in Ahmedabad was forced to call off its 'Sankalp Satyagraha' to protest against Rahul Gandhi's disqualification from the Lok Sabha at the last minute due to lack of police permission Sunday.

Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) spokesperson Manish Doshi alleged that they were given verbal permission Saturday night to hold the protest at Lal Darwaza. However, as sloganeering started only 10 minutes before the protest, the police declined the written permission submitted to them, he added. “We were allowed verbally last (Saturday) night by the police who told us that we can hold a peaceful protest with 200-250 persons... (however), the protest had to be called off as police arrived at the spot and stopped us stating there was no permission,” Doshi said.

© Provided by The Indian Express congress protest Ahmedabad: Police personnel detain Congress supporters during a protest against the conviction of party leader Rahul Gandhi in a defamation case and his disqualification from Lok Sabha, in Ahmedabad, Friday, March 24, 2023. (PTI Photo)

Several Congress leaders, including GPCC President Jagdish Thakor, leader of the Congress Legislative Party in the Gujarat Assembly Amit Chavda, Danilimda MLA Shailesh Parmar, Manish Doshi, former GPCC president Bharatsinh Solanki, Himmatsinh Patel, Indravijaysinh Gohil, Jitubhai Patel, Jamalpur Khadia MLA Imran Khedawala, Amrut Thakor, Jeniben Thummar, Gitaben Patel, Leader of Opposition at Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) Shehzad Khan Pathan, C M Rajput, former MLA Lakhabhai Bharvad, Hitendra Pithadia and others were detained by the police from the spot.

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The leaders continued sloganeering at the Police Stadium ground where they were detained. "Our Satyagraha will not stop even if the dictatorial government blocks the way or puts us in jail, #Gujarat The demonstration continues at Police Stadium Ground!" Thakor tweeted.

He lashed out at the BJP in a series of tweets. "The BJP has put all its energy into saving a human being. But they have no idea that a Congress leader alone will overpower them. Media, social media, police, ED, Parliament, judiciary have all put their emphasis. But Mr. @RahulGandhi 's question and his spirit both remain intact," he stated on the micro-blogging platform.

"Truth has power, Satyagraha has a resolution. To expose the loot of BJP, each and every worker of Gujarat Pradesh Congress is with Shri @RahulGandhi ji with firm determination to protect democracy. Long live India! Hail Congress!," he tweeted.

The Congress held a day-long 'satyagraha' from 10 am to 5 pm in front of Gandhi statues at all state and district headquarters across the country Sunday to protest Rahul Gandhi's disqualification.