Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) members on Thursday took to the streets in protest against the Modi government after Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was convicted in a 2019 defamation case by a court in Surat, Gujarat.
Showing solidarity to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who was awarded a two-year jail sentence, the MPCC alleged the Narendra Modi-led government of suppressing the people's voice.
Rahul Gandhi was sentenced in the defamation case filed against him over "Modi surname" remark he allegedly gave at a rally in Karnataka ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha polls.
Minutes later, the same court also granted him bail and stayed its order for a period of 30 days so that Rahul Gandhi can go for an appeal to the High Court.
The demonstration that was held in front of Congress Bhawan at BT Road in Imphal was prevented by police from further spreading towards the Kangla Fort.
The protesters shouted slogans and displayed placards that read, ‘In solidarity with Rahul Gandhi’, ‘Rahul Gandhi for truth against falsehood’, ‘We are Gandhis, we are not Savarkar’, and ‘Rahul Gandhi pleads Not Guilty’ among others.
MPCC spokesperson N Bupenda told the media the judgment of the Surat Court will be fought by Congress legally by moving an appeal to the higher court. "In fact, the BJP is scared of Rahul's stands on truth with the masses," he said.
“Intimidation will not work on Rahul Gandhi and a party such as the Congress which always stands for the truth and non-violence, and any attempt to restrict free speech will not stop the party or its leaders,” he said
It is unfortunate that the BJP government is still silent on the public demand for a JPC on the infamous Adani Scam, he said, questioning, “What is the relation with Modi and Adani?”
