The Rajiv Gandhi Panchayati Raj Organisation of the All-India Congress Committee (AICC) staged a 'Save Democracy Satyagraha' in front of Mahatma Gandhi's statue in Shimla on Tuesday, accusing the BJP-led Centre of weakening constitutional institutions. The protest was led by the organisation's national president, Sunil Panwar, who alleged that the BJP and the RSS had compromised the independence and impartiality of key democratic institutions.
Allegations of electoral malpractice
Addressing mediapersons, Panwar questioned the functioning of the Election Commission, citing the rejection of senior Congress leader Meenakshi Natarajan's Rajya Sabha nomination papers in Madhya Pradesh. He claimed the episode had raised serious concerns over the transparency and fairness of the electoral process. Panwar also alleged that central investigative agencies were being misused to target and suppress opposition leaders.
Campaign to protect democracy
He said the Rajiv Gandhi Panchayati Raj Organisation would expand its campaign to protect democracy and the Constitution by taking the message to villages and households across the country. Local Congress leaders also joined the protest, which was held under the banner of the AICC's panchayati raj wing.
