The Indian National Congress party is holding a day-long protest, or “satyagraha,” across the country following the disqualification of its leader, Rahul Gandhi, from the Lok Sabha. Gandhi was found guilty of defamation by a Gujarat court for remarks made during the 2019 campaign that were perceived as insulting to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Congress party claims that the disqualification is a conspiracy to silence their leader, who has been a vocal critic of Modi for nearly a decade. Gandhi himself responded with a combative speech, referring to fear in Modi’s eyes and refusing to apologize by stating he is a Gandhi, not a member of Modi’s community. The disqualification means Gandhi cannot contest polls for eight years unless an appeals court stays his conviction.
