The Congress party has called for a “Maun Satyagraha” (silent protest) on July 12, 2023, to show support for Rahul Gandhi after the Gujarat High Court denied his request to stay his conviction for criminal defamation.
The protest will be held in front of Mahatma Gandhi’s statues in all state headquarters from 10 am to 5 am. The party has asked all its state presidents to mobilize as many people as possible, including senior leaders, MPs, MLAs, and other elected representatives. The Congress has described the Gujarat High Court’s decision as “disappointing” but not “unexpected.” The party has said that it will challenge the decision in the Supreme Court. Gujarat HC on July 7 delivered its verdict on the ‘Modi Surname’ defamation case dismissing the plea seeking a stay on his conviction in a criminal defamation case. After the verdict, KC Venugopal wrote to all PCC Presidents. The letter exclaimed that the present circumstances demand that the entire party stands together and reiterate that Rahul Gandhi is not alone in this fight and that crores of people — regardless of their political affiliations — are with him in this fight for truth and justice.
Rahul Gandhi was convicted of criminal defamation in a case filed by Purnesh Modi, a businessman who is not related to the Prime Minister. The case stemmed from a 2019 rally in which Gandhi made a remark about the surname “Modi” being associated with corruption.
The Surat court sentenced Gandhi to two years in prison, but he was granted bail pending appeal. The Gujarat High Court has now denied his request to stay the conviction.
The Congress has said that the High Court’s decision is a “travesty of justice” and that it is an attempt to silence Gandhi. The party has vowed to continue to fight for Gandhi’s acquittal.
The “Maun Satyagraha” is a symbolic gesture of the Congress’s commitment to Gandhian principles. The party is hoping that the protest will send a message to the government that it will not be silenced.
