Live Updates | Fighting for India's Voice at Any Cost: Rahul on Disqualification
Catch all updates on disqualification of Congress MP Rahul Gandhi from the Lok Sabha here.
Live Updates | Fighting for India's Voice at Any Cost: Rahul on Disqualification
(Photo: PTI/altered by The Quint)
Rahul Gandhi Lok Sabha Disqualification Live Updates: Hours after he was disqualified from the Lok Sabha due to a conviction in a criminal defamation case, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on Friday, 24 March, took to Twitter to say that he is ready to pay any cost as he is 'fighting for the voice of India.'
Gandhi was disqualified as a member of the Lok Sabha after his 'Modi surname' remark made in Karnataka in 2019. The development came a day after a trial court in Gujarat sentenced him to two years in jail in the criminal defamation case.
A meeting of senior Congress leaders including Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, P Chidambaram, Anand Sharma, and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, is underway at the AICC headquarters to decide the future strategy.
Protesting Congress party workers, meanwhile, clashed with security personnel and workers of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at several places including Delhi, Lucknow, Raipur, and Ranchi.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi leaves from Parliament House complex, in New Delhi, Friday, March 24, 2023. Gandhi has been disqualified from the Lok Sabha, the Lok Sabha Secretariat said on Friday.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge with party leaders Sonia Gandhi and others during a meeting at AICC headquarters, in New Delhi, Friday, March 24, 2023, after Rahul Gandhis disqualification from Lok Sabha following his conviction in a defamation case and over other issues.
Congress leaders Jairam Ramesh and Abhishek Manusinghvi address a press conference, in New Delhi, Friday, March 24, 2023.
Police detain Congress party workers during a protest march againt the disqualification of the party leader Rahul Gandhi from Lok Sabha, in Lucknow, Friday., March 24, 2023.
olice detain Congress party workers during a protest march againt the disqualification of the party leader Rahul Gandhi from Lok Sabha, in Lucknow, Friday., March 24, 2023.
Rajasthan Congress incharge Sukhjinder Randhawa addresses a protest against the Union Government over sentencing of party leader Rahul Gandhi in a defamation case, in Jaipur, Friday, March 24, 2023.
Opposition members protest after Congress leader Rahul Gandhis disqualification from Parliament, during the Budget Session of Maharashtra Assembly, in Mumbai, Friday, March 24, 2023.
Union Ministers Anurag Singh Thakur and Dharmendra Pradhan during a press conference, at BJP headquarters in New Delhi, Friday, March 24, 2023.
KPCC President D K Shivakumar and party leader Siddaramaiah with supporters at a protest rally against the State Government for not implementing a hike in reservation for SC/ST, in Bengaluru, Friday, Mar 24, 2023.
A notice by the Lok Sabha secretariat said that the disqualification is in terms of the provisions of Article 102 (1) (e) of the Constitution of India read with Section 8 of the Representation of People Act, 1951.
Reacting to the disqualification, the Congress party said that it would keep fighting the battle against "attempts to silence Rahul Gandhi."
Leaders across party lines, including TMC's Mamata Banerjee, AAP's Arvind Kejriwal, RJD's Tej Pratap Yadav, and AAP's Sanjay Singh condemned the disqualification.
Rahul Gandhi had made the remarks in a rally in Karnataka saying: "Nirav Modi, Lalit Modi, Narendra Modi. How come all the thieves have 'Modi' as a common surname?"
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What the Disqualification Notice Said
The disqualification notice by the Lok Sabha secretariat said: "Consequent upon his conviction by the Court of Chief Judicial Magistrate, Surat in C.C./18712/2019, Shri Rahul Gandhi, Member of Lok Sabha representing the Wayanad Parliamentary constituency of Kerala stands disqualified from the membership of Lok Sabha from the date of his conviction i.e. 23 March, 2023 in terms of the provisions of Article 102 (1) (e) of the Constitution of India read with Section 8 of the Representation of People Act. 1951."
BJP Welcomes Disqualification
Speaking to news agency ANI, Union Minister Anurag Thakur said that Rahul Gandhi has often crossed the line in the Parliament.
"Rahul Gandhi is on a bail in a corruption case of National Herald...He is habitual of going far from truth in Parliament. I think Rahul Gandhi believes he is above the Parliament, the law, the country. He thinks he is privileged and that the Gandhi family can do anything," Thakur said.
'Dictatorship,' Says KC Venugopal
Congress MP KC Venugopal called the suspension an attempt to "silence Rahul Gandhi."
"It's a clear case of anti-democratic and dictatorship attitude of the BJP government," Venugopal said.
'Won't Be Silenced': Jairam Ramesh
Congress communications in-charge Jairam Ramesh took to Twitter to say: "We will fight this battle both legally and politically. We are not going to be afraid or silent. Instead of forming the JPC as is being demanded on the Adani scams, Rahul Gandhi has been disqualified."
Congress Leaders To Meet at 5:00 pm
Reacting to the disqualification, the Congress party said that it wouldl keep fighting the battle against "attempts to silence Rahul Gandhi."
"We will continue to fight. The strategy from here will be discussed within the party," party chief Mallikarjun Kharge told PTI.
Kharge said that a meeting of senior party leaders has been called at 5:00 pm today to formulate the strategy as to how to proceed.
Mamata Banerjee Condemns Disqualification
Speaking about Rahul Gandhi's disqualification, West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee said: "In PM Modi's New India, Opposition leaders have become the prime target of BJP. While BJP leaders with criminal antecedents are inducted into the cabinet, Opposition leaders are disqualified for their speeches. Today, we have witnessed a new low for our constitutional democracy."
'Autocratic Government,' Says Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury
In a video address, Congress MP Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury said that the country was witnessing politics of vendetta being spearheaded by the Modi government.
"It is a sheer case of retributive politics because Rahul Gandhi has been gaining popularity, especially in the wake of Bharat Jodo Yatra which could not be digested by the Modi government. This is a very cruel demonstration of an autocratic government," he said.
Sonia Gandhi Meets Rahul
Former Congress chief Sonia Gandhi arrived at the residence of Congress MP Rahul Gandhi after his disqualification.
Protesting Congress Workers Detained in Lucknow
Congress workers in Lucknow were detained during protest against the disqualification of Rahul Gandhi as a member of the Lok Sabha.
'Can't Remove Him From People's Hearts': DK Shivakumar
Taking to Twitter, Congress leader DK Shivakumar said that he "despises the BJP's anti-democratic attitude."
'Calling a Thief a Thief Not a Crime': Uddhav Thackeray
Reacting to Rahul Gandhi's disqualification from Lok Sabha, former Maharashtra CM Uddhav Thackeray said that calling a thief a thief is not a crime.
"Thieves and looters are still free and Rahul Gandhi is being punished. This is a direct murder of democracy. All government systems are under pressure. This is the beginning of the end of dictatorship," Thackeray said, as quoted by ANI.
'Happening by Orders of the BJP': RJD's Tej Pratap
Reacting to Rahul Gandhi's disqualification from Lok Sabha, Bihar minister Tej Pratap Yadav said that everything was happening by orders of the BJP.
"This has been done as a part of a conspiracy. The people of Bihar and the entire nation are seeing what they (BJP) are doing," he said.
'Murder of Democracy': Congress Addresses Media
Several senior Congress leaders addressed the media to condemn the disqualification of Congress MP Rahul Gandhi from the Lok Sabha.
"Rahul Gandhi has been speaking out fearlessly both inside and outside the Parliament. He is now having to pay the price for it. The government is rattled and is finding new techniques to throttle his voice," Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi said.
"We are confident that we will get a stay of the conviction which will remove the very basis of this disqualification. We have full faith in the law. We believe we will emerge victorious in the near future," he said.
Congress Tweets Rahul Gandhi's Photo From Parliament
After his disqualification, the Congress took to Twitter to post a picture of Rahul Gandhi captioned: "Lok Sabha membership of Rahul Gandhi has been terminated. He is continuously fighting for you and this country from road to parliament, trying everything possible to save democracy. Despite every conspiracy, he will continue this fight at all costs and will take just action in this matter. The fight continues✊"
'Why Is PM Modi Scared?': Digvijay Singh
Congress leader Digvijay Singh said that PM Modi was "scared of the truth."
"This was expected from Narendra Modi, Amit Shah, and the BJP. They made sure Rahul Gandhi is never able to speak in the Parliament. Rahul Gandhi had raised issues on Adani and the Hindenberg report in the House. Why is PM Modi scared? He hasn't uttered a word on the matter. Till when will they stall the Parliament? Will they stop us from talking to he people also?" said Singh.
'Trying To Divert Attention From Real Issues': Telangana Congress Chief
Speaking to news agency ANI, Telangana Congress chief Revanth Reddy said, "These are all non-democratic steps. This whole decision has been taken by pressurising the Lok Sabha Secretariat. This has been done to divert the attention of people from the main issues. Congress and Gandhi's family are not afraid of them (BJP)."
'Government Is Perturbed': Ashok Gehlot
Reacting to Gandhi's disqualification from Lok Sabha, Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said, "Ever since Bharat Jodo Yatra concluded successfully, government is perturbed... The manner in which Rahul Gandhi - a patriot whose entire clan took part in the freedom struggle and whose grandmother & father were assassinated - was blocked from speaking in & coming to Parliament... This will cost them."
"They had harassed Indira Gandhi as well and she was disqualified from the Parliament and they paid the price. There was a wave of Indira Gandhi and she became the PM with a massive majority. I can say that with the recent activities, chances will increase in 2024 election. People won't tolerate such a dictatorial NDA government," he added.
'BJP Is Killing Democracy': Akhilesh Yadav
Samajwadi Party Chief Akhilesh Yadav also reacted to the Gandhi's disqualification saying that BJP doesn’t want to talk about Adani issue.
"The BJP doesn’t want to talk about Adani issue, they want to distract the public. The public knows BJP is reason for poverty, unemployment & inflation. BJP has started killing democracy. They have taken membership of biggest leader of Congress," Yadav said.
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra Attacks Modi Govt
Taking to Twitter, Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra slammed PM Narendra Modi for targeting her family.
"Mr Modi, your sycophants called the son of a martyr prime minister a traitor, Mir Jafar. One of your Chief Minister raised the question that who is the father of Rahul Gandhi?" Vadra asked.
"Insulting the whole family and the Kashmiri Pandit community, you asked why they don't keep the name Nehru in the full parliament. But no judge gave you a sentence of two years. Did not disqualify you from the Parliament," she said.
"Rahul ji like a true patriot questioned Adani's loot, raised questions on Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi…. Has your friend Gautam Adani become bigger than the country's Parliament and the great people of India that you were shocked when his loot was questioned?" she asked.
'Ready to Pay Any Cost': Rahul Gandhi
"I am fighting for the voice of India. I am ready to pay any cost," tweeted Rahul Gandhi after disqualification from Lok Sabha.
'Cowardice of a Scared Government': Arvind Kejriwal
Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal slammed the Modi government for the disqualification of Rahul Gandhi from the Lok Sabha.
"The way Rahul Gandhi was framed in the defamation case, sentenced, and disqualified from the Lok Sabha is a matter of concern for the democracy. We respect the judiciary but we don't agree to the sentencing. His disqualification is cowardice of a scared government," Kejriwal said.
"They want to resort to 'one nation, one party' and finish all Opposition parties. They want only 'one nation, one leader'. This is what dictatorship is," he added.
Congress Meeting Underway
A meeting of senior Congress leaders, including Mallikarjun Kharge, Sonia Gandhi, P Chidambaram, Anand Sharma, and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, is underway at the AICC headquarters.
'Height of Modi's Arrogance': KCR
BRS president and Telangana Chief Minister Sri K Chandrashekhar Rao called Rahul Gandhi's disqualification a "black day for Indian democracy" and "height of arrogance of PM Narendra Modi."
"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 the adverse time for democracy and the Constitutional values. The Modi’s regime 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," he said.
Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan Condemns the Disqualification of Rahul Gandhi
Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan came out in support of Rahul Gandhi following his disqualification.
"The hasty disqualification of Rahul Gandhi from the Lok Sabha is the latest episode in the ongoing assault on our democracy by the Sangh Parivar. Rahul Gandhi has been disqualified citing a court verdict in a case which was filed against him for a political speech. The use of force to suppress dissent is a fascistic method," he said.
'Will Launch Jan-Andolan Across India': Congress
Addressing a press conference on Friday night, 24 March, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said that the party "will go all over the country saying Rahul Gandhi was deliberately disqualified for raising his voice against the Modi government."
He also welcomed the statements issued by other Opposition parties condemning Rahul Gandhi's disqualification from Parliament.
'Deep Betrayal of Gandhian Philosophy': US Congressman
US Congressman Ro Khanna also reacted to the news of Rahul Gandhi's disqualification, calling it a "deep betrayal of Gandhian philosophy" on Twitter.
Khanna is a US Representative of California’s 17th District and belongs to The Democratic Party.