Arrest of Congress workers in Gurugram a black day for democracy: Deepender Hooda

Congress MP Deepender Singh Hooda on Saturday launched a scathing attack on the BJP government and the Gurugram administration over the registration of criminal cases under non-bailable sections and the subsequent arrest of Congress office-bearers and workers for allegedly waving black flags at Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini’s convoy in Gurugram.

Addressing a press conference in Gurugram, Hooda said peaceful protest was a constitutional right of citizens in a democracy. He described the arrest of Congress workers who were exercising this right under serious, non-bailable charges as a “black day” in the history of democracy.

“The government is attempting to suppress voices raised against its failures and anti-people policies by using the police and the administration. In a democracy, it is the government's responsibility to listen to the voices of the public and the opposition, not to imprison those who dissent. The Indian National Congress would not tolerate this barbaric action by the government under any circumstances. The party will raise its voice on every democratic platform regarding the cases registered against and the arrests of Congress workers,” Hooda said.

Warning the government, he said the Congress would vigorously raise the issue both on the streets and in the House. He added that if Congress office-bearers and workers who were staging peaceful protests were not immediately released and the cases registered against them withdrawn, the party would intensify its agitation.

“The state Congress will not rest until justice is secured for its office-bearers and workers,” he said.

Advising the Gurugram administration to act impartially and in accordance with the law, Hooda said attempts to stifle the Opposition’s voice under pressure from those in power posed a serious threat to the democratic system.

He asserted that the Congress’ struggle was not against any specific individual but aimed at safeguarding democracy, the Constitution and the right to peaceful protest. He added that if any injustice was meted out to Congress workers, the party would stand firmly by their side with full strength.