Congress stages protest in Bengaluru over FIR against Rahul Gandhi

Bengaluru: Congress leader B K Hariprasad on Wednesday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the BJP and Union home minister Amit Shah of trying to silence Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi by filing an FIR against him.

Addressing a KPCC-organised protest at Freedom Park in Bengaluru, Hariprasad said Congress workers were holding protests across Karnataka against what he termed attacks on democracy and the Constitution.

He urged Youth Congress and NSUI workers to stage protests outside BJP offices and show black flags to BJP leaders. “We must protect the Constitution and build a bright future for the country. If the youth do not continue this fight, the country’s future will be bleak,” he said.

Hariprasad also condemned the alleged “purification” of a venue where Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge had addressed a public gathering. He said the alleged performance of a havan and sprinkling of Ganga water at the site by Ram Sena activists was condemnable and called for protests in every district.

He said fighting discrimination was one of the Congress’s core objectives and recalled that the Constitution drafted under the leadership of BR Ambedkar guaranteed equal rights to all, including Dalits.

Referring to the FIR against Rahul Gandhi, Hariprasad said the Congress would not be intimidated. “We are not afraid of FIRs. We will continue our fight on the path of truth and non-violence,” he said.

He added that protecting the Constitution, national anthem and national flag was the responsibility of every citizen and warned that Congress would continue to protest against any threat to constitutional values.