In a demonstration as part of a nationwide protest program, the Tripura Pradesh Congress held a silent protest – ‘maun-satyagraha,’ in the Gandhighat area in Agartala on Wednesday.
The protest was organized in response to the disqualification of Rahul Gandhi from Parliament following his conviction in a defamation case involving the use of the Modi surname.
The protest witnessed the participation of several key leaders from the Pradesh Congress, including its president Asish Kumar Saha, Congress MLA Sudip Roy Barman, former Chief Minister Samir Ranjan Barman, and Szarita Laitphlang. To symbolize their stance on the ‘curtailed freedom of speech’ under the BJP-led central government, the leaders and activists wore black bands over their mouths.
A placard displaying a photograph of Rahul Gandhi accompanied by the message “Daro Mat, The Fight for Truth Shall Continue” was also prominently displayed during the satyagraha.
Pradesh Congress president Asish Kumar Saha spoke to the reporters and strongly criticized the BJP-led central government for infringing upon the rights of the common people, which are protected by the Constitution. He accused the Modi-led government of repeatedly attacking democracy and silencing those who dare to voice their dissent against its actions, branding them as terrorists or subjecting them to harassment.
Congress MLA Sudip Roy Barman echoed Saha’s sentiments, stating that democracy is in peril. He argued that the questions raised by Rahul Gandhi in Parliament were aimed at safeguarding the interests of the common people. Barman highlighted issues such as bank frauds totalling Rs 98,952 crore within the past five years and the waiver of loans worth Rs 10,00,000 crore by the Modi government during its tenure.
He alleged that instead of providing answers, the House chose to disqualify Rahul Gandhi to divert attention from their own shortcomings.
Former Chief Minister Samir Ranjan Barman expressed concern over the obstruction of people who wanted to participate in the protest but were deterred by warnings from the ruling party about potential repercussions.
The Congress leaders also criticized the decision of the Gujarat High Court regarding Rahul Gandhi’s case, in which he appealed against his six-year suspension from Parliament.
