Brief
Rahul Gandhi backs Jantar Mantar protests and calls for CEC Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation
The opposition leader said the protests were constitutional and warned the government that force cannot silence questions.
By Felo News Desk · Published
On Gandhi Jayanti, opposition leader Rahul Gandhi used his X post to endorse the Jantar Mantar demonstrations against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, calling the rallies a peaceful exercise of constitutional rights and demanding the CEC’s resignation.
Gandhi wrote that thousands of young people were on the streets “peacefully, without violence, exercising their constitutional rights” to protest what he described as “vote theft.” He alleged that “hundreds” of demonstrators had been taken into custody, accusing the Modi‑Shah government of dragging “boys and girls” off the streets for merely questioning the electoral process.
Quoting Mahatma Gandhi, he said, “Bapu taught us exactly this – speak the truth, fight peacefully. And that’s what scares this government the most… Because a lathi can stop a crowd, but not a question. Gyanesh Kumar will go. And the system that put him there will go too.”
The protests involved a coalition of opposition parties, student groups such as the Students’ Federation of India (SFI), Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI), AISA and NSUI, as well as AAP leaders Saurabh Bharadwaj and former Delhi chief minister Atishi, who were among those detained. Delhi police denied permission for the rally, erected barricades, and reported more than 500 arrests, while the police presence in the area was bolstered with thousands of personnel.
Gandhi’s statement came amid a broader wave of anti‑CEC demonstrations that began earlier in October, including clashes in Delhi and Mumbai and a nationwide Congress‑led campaign demanding the CEC’s resignation. The opposition has framed the protests as a defence of democratic processes ahead of upcoming elections.
Key facts
- Rahul Gandhi posted on X on Gandhi Jayanti supporting Jantar Mantar protests against CEC Gyanesh Kumar. (news18.com)
- He claimed thousands of young people were peacefully protesting alleged vote theft. (news18.com)
- Gandhi said hundreds of protesters were detained and warned that force cannot stop questions. (news18.com)
- The protest included Congress, AAP, and student groups; over 500 arrests were reported. (news18.com)
- Gandhi quoted Mahatma Gandhi, saying a lathi can stop a crowd but not a question. (news18.com)
Sources
- [1] news18.com — originally reported as “'Lathi Can Stop Crowd, But Not A Question': Rahul Gandhi Slams Centre Amid Protests Against CEC”
