NEW DELHI: Indian opposition parties gathered on Sunday to protest against the arrest of a prominent leader and to denounce Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government, accusing it of fascism, election rigging, and harassment through tax demands.
The rally, held in New Delhi, saw Congress party leader Rahul Gandhi leading the charge against Modi and his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), with the crowd chanting slogans against Narendra Modi and his BJP government for fascist policies.
Gandhi, addressing the gathering at the New Delhi rally, accused Modi of attempting to manipulate the upcoming election, referring to the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on corruption charges just weeks before the national vote.
Kejriwal, a vocal critic of Modi and a key leader of the opposition bloc, was arrested on March 21 on allegations of corruption related to the granting of liquor licenses. His Aam Aadmi Party insists the case is politically motivated, while Modi’s government maintains that law enforcement agencies are acting independently.
Speaking at the rally, Gandhi emphasized the significance of the upcoming election, framing it as a crucial battle to protect the country’s constitution and democratic values.
The opposition rally drew thousands of supporters, with regional party leaders joining forces despite past differences over electoral strategy.
However, BJP spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi dismissed the opposition unity as an attempt to conceal their own acts of corruption. The opposition parties are protesting government’s actions, including detentions, raids, and alleged financial harassment by government agencies.
Critics have accused Modi and the BJP of weaponizing investigative agencies and tax authorities to target political opponents, an allegation vehemently denied by the ruling party.
In a powerful address to the rally, Kejriwal’s wife, Sunita Kejriwal, rallied support for her husband, labeling him a patriot and an honest leader unjustly targeted by the government. She vowed to fight against what she called “fascism” and expressed confidence in their eventual victory.
