"What is left in our country today?": Congress' Renuka Chowdhury questions curbs on dissent ahead of CJP protest in Delhi

New Delhi, India: Congress MP Renuka Chowdhury on Friday questioned the restrictions on dissent and the right to protest in the country amid the opposition's agitation against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and ahead of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP)'s proposed protest in Delhi on October 10.

Speaking to ANI, Chowdhury asserted that the opposition would continue its fight until justice was delivered, describing it as a moral obligation to protect constitutional rights and freedoms.

“This will continue. Until justice is served, it is our duty and our moral obligation to fight,” she said. Questioning the restrictions on raising public concerns, the Congress MP said, “If we raise our voices against unemployment, it is deemed wrong; if we speak about the Constitution, it is wrong; if we ask for our rights, it is wrong; if we raise our voices against the SIR, it is wrong. What is left in our country today? What is considered legitimate?”

Chowdhury further questioned whether citizens were expected to remain silent while the government acted according to its wishes, asserting that the freedom secured after India's independence must be protected. “We were born in an independent India; that freedom is a sacred trust, and we have no right to alter it,” she said.

Responding to a question on how long the opposition's protest would continue, Chowdhury said, "Until the government acknowledges the truth. We will continue to fight on various platforms and in various ways... We must keep fighting. This is our moral obligation; this is our duty."

Meanwhile, Congress MP Mallu Ravi said INDIA bloc MPs were discussing their future course of action in a meeting and would collectively decide on the next steps under the leadership of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi.

Ravi said, "Today was a meeting of all INDIA bloc MPs. We are going to discuss and finalise the roadmap: what is to be done. After the meeting, I think the decision will be taken collectively under the leadership of Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi. Then we will proceed with what is to be done. Yesterday and the other day, we tried our best to meet the CEC and demand his resignation. Today we asked for time to submit a memorandum to the President of India, but she has not given us time. I think, depending on the meeting outcome, we will do whatever is required to be done."

Delhi Police has denied permission for the demonstration, citing short notice, previous non-compliance with directions and concerns related to public safety, law and order and traffic management. Security arrangements have been strengthened across the national capital, including at major railway stations and border points, ahead of the proposed protest. (ANI)