In a dramatic display of dissent, the Indian Youth Congress (IYC) took to the streets of the national capital on Monday, staging a vociferous protest at Jantar Mantar. The demonstration centered on serious allegations of "systematic vote rigging" against the ruling establishment, leading to the detention of more than 20 party workers by the police.
Protest and Detentions at Parliament's Doorstep
The protest, spearheaded by IYC's national president Uday Bhanu Chib, saw a charged gathering of workers raising slogans, including the pointed chant of "Vote Chor, Gaddi Chod." The agitation escalated as the protesters, heeding a call for 'Parliament Gherao,' attempted to march towards the Parliament building. This move prompted police intervention to maintain law and order in the high-security zone.
Confirming the action, a police source stated, "We have detained at least 20 protesters as preventive detention to maintain law and order." The detentions were made to prevent any potential disruption near the Parliament complex.
Serious Allegations Against BJP-RSS and Election Commission
Addressing the crowd at Jantar Mantar, Uday Bhanu Chib launched a scathing attack, accusing the BJP-RSS combine and the Election Commission of India of conspiring to steal the people's mandate. He framed the alleged vote rigging as nothing short of a direct assault on the Indian Constitution.
Chib specifically named Election Commissioners Gyanesh Kumar, Sukhbir Singh Sandhu, and Vivek Joshi, alleging they were working in collusion with the BJP. He further claimed that a recent legislative change was enacted specifically to shield them from legal accountability.
The Legal Immunity Clause at the Heart of the Controversy
The IYC leader's reference was to the Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023. He highlighted that Clause 16 of this Act grants immunity to the Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners from any legal action for decisions taken during their tenure in office.
The protesters argued that this provision, coupled with the alleged collusion, has created an environment where electoral malpractices could be protected, thereby undermining the very foundation of democratic elections in the country. The protest underscores the rising political tensions and the opposition's strategy to challenge the government and constitutional bodies on the issue of electoral integrity.
