The Tripura Pradesh Congress staged protests across the state on Thursday to press for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, while alleging that democratic freedoms and the right to peaceful dissent face increasing restrictions.
Key Takeaways:
- Tripura Congress observed a statewide ‘Black Day’ demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation.
- Congress leaders and workers staged protests in Agartala and across other districts of Tripura.
- The party said INDIA bloc MPs would approach the Election Commission with their demands and concerns.
The Tripura Pradesh Congress observed a statewide ‘Black Day’ on Thursday with a key demand: the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Party leaders and workers staged protests in Agartala and other districts. They wore black clothes and black badges to mark their opposition. The Congress said the statewide programme formed part of its wider campaign to protect democratic institutions and democratic rights.
In Agartala, senior Congress leaders led a protest procession. Party workers raised their concerns over what they described as growing restrictions on political dissent and peaceful demonstrations.
Congress centres protest on Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation demand
The demand for Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation emerged as the central issue in the Tripura Congress campaign.
Tripura Pradesh Congress president Ashish Kumar Saha said Congress workers had pledged to continue the movement. He described the agitation as part of a broader effort to safeguard democratic institutions.
Saha also linked the Tripura protest to developments in New Delhi. He criticised what he described as police high-handedness against senior Congress leaders and other INDIA bloc leaders during a demonstration in the national capital a day earlier.
He specifically referred to Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge. He also mentioned Members of Parliament and other prominent leaders of the INDIA bloc.
According to Saha, the developments in Delhi had prompted Congress workers across the country to intensify their resistance.
Black attire signals Congress protest
The Congress used black attire and black badges as symbols of its protest.
Explaining the decision, Saha said the party viewed the current situation as a “dark chapter” in the history of Indian democracy.
He alleged that police intervention was being used to discourage and restrict democratic demonstrations. He also argued that such actions were contrary to the principles of a democratic system.
“This is a democratic nation, and citizens must be allowed to express their views through peaceful protest. Preventing people from taking to the streets and curbing dissent is not healthy for democracy,” Saha said while addressing supporters.
The Congress leader said the party wanted to draw public attention to what it described as pressure on democratic freedoms.
Statewide protests across Tripura
The ‘Black Day’ programme extended beyond Agartala, according to the Tripura Pradesh Congress.
Similar demonstrations and protest marches took place across all districts of the state. Congress leaders and workers joined the programmes to register their opposition and reiterate the party’s demands.
Among those who participated in the Agartala programme were Tripura Pradesh Congress president Ashish Kumar Saha and Congress MLA Sudip Roy Barman. Several other party leaders and workers also took part.
The statewide mobilisation gave the resignation demand a wider organisational platform within the state Congress.
INDIA bloc MPs to approach Election Commission
The Tripura Congress also referred to the next phase of the wider campaign.
The party said INDIA bloc Members of Parliament would approach the Election Commission in the coming days with a set of demands and concerns.
Tripura Pradesh Congress leaders indicated that the agitation would continue. They also said the campaign could expand further as part of a nationwide programme.
The party appealed to people to join what it described as a broader movement to protect and restore democratic values.
For the Tripura Congress, Thursday’s statewide ‘Black Day’ was therefore both a protest against the alleged curbs on democratic expression and a direct political demand for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The party said it would continue its campaign until, in its view, democratic values were fully restored.
