Democracy in danger: Opposition in protest march, seeks JPC probe

NEW DELHI: A number of opposition parties on Friday held a protest march from Parliament, alleging that "democracy is in danger" and demanding a JPC probe into the Adani issue.

Rajiv Gandhi’s disqualification has set the stage for a showdown between the ruling BJP and the Opposition parties. Addressing the media at Vijay Chowk, several leaders, including Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, also raised the issue of Rahul Gandhi's conviction in a 2019 criminal defamation case by a Surat court and alleged that the government was targeting the opposition with cases to suppress their voices.

At the end of a protest inside the Parliament House complex, a host of Opposition leaders from parties such as the CPI, CPI(M), Shiv Sena (Uddhav Thackeray), JD(U) and Aam Aadmi Party, marched to Vijay Chowk, holding placards like 'We demand JPC' and 'Save LIC' and a huge banner in front of them with 'Democracy in Danger' written on it.

"We're fighting for JPC into Adani issue for months. They have a majority but the BJP is scared as there's something fishy. We'll keep fighting unitedly for it," Kharge said.

He also hit out at BJP chief J P Nadda over his allegation that Rahul Gandhi compared OBC communities to thieves and accused the BJP of indulging in "caste politics".

AAP's Sanjay Singh said Gandhi's conviction shows that the government wants to finish off the opposition by slapping cases on them.

Meanwhile, Rajya Sabha proceedings were adjourned in the pre-lunch session on Friday amid sloganeering by ruling BJP and opposition members over Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's democracy remark and a demand for a probe into allegations against the Adani Group.

Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar said the House is in "disorder from both sides" before adjourning the proceedings till 2.30 pm.

MPs from both sides shouted slogans in support of their demand after Dhankhar rejected 14 notices under Rule 267, seeking discussion on issues being raised after setting aside the business of the day.

The chairman tried to restore order but adjourned proceedings as MPs continued to shout slogans. Earlier, Dhankhar read out the notices received under Rule 267.

Also Read: Rahul Gandhi ‘Disqualified’ From His Position in Lok Sabha

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