There is no such thing as democracy in India: Rahul

(PTI) New Delhi, Dt

Alleging that democracy in India is just a fantasy, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said that if RSS president Mohan Bhagwat also stood up against Modi in the country, he would declare him a terrorist. A delegation of the Opposition led by Rahul Gandhi met President Ramnath Kovind, demanding a joint session of Parliament to withdraw the three new agricultural laws in support of the peasant movement. The Opposition had also rejected Prime Minister Modi's allegations of misleading farmers. On the other hand, Priyanka Gandhi, who was marching in Delhi against agricultural laws, was arrested.

The Congress had organized a march to the Rashtrapati Bhavan on Thursday in support of the farmers protesting against the new agriculture law, but the police stopped them from reaching the Rashtrapati Bhavan. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had announced to march to Rashtrapati Bhavan with the signatures of 1.5 crore farmers, but the police did not allow it. Police had allowed only three Congress leaders to meet President Kovind outside the Congress headquarters.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi met the President along with Ghulam Nabi Azad and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chaudhary after the police stopped the mass front. He handed over the signatures of farmers against agricultural law to President Kovind. After meeting the President, Rahul Gandhi lashed out at the Center, saying that if Union President Mohan Bhagwat also stood up against Modi, he too would be declared a terrorist.

"We have conveyed the voice of the farmers to the President," he said. It is winter season and the whole country is watching the farmers dying. The Prime Minister has to hear his voice. I had said before that the corona was causing a lot of damage. I still say today that there is no force against farmers and laborers. It is hurting the country, not the BJP-RSS. The government states these laws for the benefit of farmers, but these laws are anti-farmer. The Center convenes a joint session of Parliament and withdraws the legislation. We are with the farmers.

Earlier at 11 a.m., Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi took to the streets with activists and tried to form a front despite police not giving permission. So the police arrested him and took him to Mandir Marg police station. About half an hour later, Priyanka Gandhi was released. Opposition leaders, meanwhile, rejected Prime Minister Modi's allegations that the Opposition was misleading farmers on the issue of agricultural laws. Parties including Congress, NCP, DMK, PAGD, RJD, SP, Left supported the farmers' movement and demanded convening of a joint session to withdraw the three new agricultural laws.