Congress to organize 'Maun Satyagraha' in support of Rahul Gandhi

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• Jul 8, 2023 | Dhupali Das

Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal wrote to state party presidents on Friday, proposing that they organize a one-day 'Maun Satyagraha' in...

Digital Desk: Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal wrote to state party presidents on Friday, proposing that they organize a one-day 'Maun Satyagraha' (silent protest) in front of Mahatma Gandhi's statues at all state headquarters on July 12 to show solidarity with party leader Rahul Gandhi.

KC Venugopal wrote to all PCC presidents after the Gujarat High Court upheld the Sessions Court's ruling rejecting a stay on Rahul Gandhi's conviction in the defamation case over the 'Modi surname' remark.

"In the present circumstances, it is high time that we stand together and reiterate that Rahul Gandhi is not alone and millions of congressmen and crores of people irrespective of their political affiliations are with him in this fight for truth and justice. Under the leadership of Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, in solidarity with our leader and in support of his fearless and uncompromising fight, all the PCCs are requested to organize a massive one-day Maun Satyagraha (Silent Protest) in front of Gandhi statues, in all State Headquarters from 10 AM to 5 PM, on Wednesday, on July 12, 2023, with maximum possible mobilization and involvement of all the senior leaders, MPs, MLA/MLCs and other elected representatives," the letter read.

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The Congress stated on Friday that the verdict by the Gujarat High Court's single judge bench dismissing Rahul Gandhi's appeal for a stay of conviction was "disappointing," but not an "unexpected judgment."

The party stated that it will take the matter to the Supreme Court.

"We will fight both the political and the legal battle," Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge stated in response to the high court verdict.

In May, the Gujarat High Court reserved its decision on Rahul's petition for a stay of his conviction in the 2019 'Modi surname defamation case. The court had refused to provide the Congress leader with any interim relief.

On April 25, Rahul filed a petition with the Gujarat High Court, appealing a Surat Sessions Court judgment that refused to stay his conviction in the criminal defamation case.

On April 20, the Surat court denied Rahul's request for a stay of execution by the lower court in the case.

In his decision, Additional Sessions Judge Robin P Mogera referenced Gandhi's position as an MP and former leader of the country's second-largest political party, saying he should have been more cautious.

On March 23, the lower court convicted and sentenced the Congress politician to two years in jail under sections 499 and 500 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) in connection with the defamation case filed by Purnesh Modi.

Rahul stated during a rally in Karnataka's Kolar in April 2019: "How come all the thieves have Modi as the common surname?"