Attack on Rahul convoy attack on democracy: Ajay Maken

Hundreds of Congress workers held a march here on Saturday to protest against the attack on party Vice President Rahul Gandhi's convoy in Gujarat a day earlier, which they said was an "attack on democracy".

The Congress workers led by Delhi unit President Ajay Maken rallied at Teen Murti roundabout in central Delhi and marched towards Gujarat Bhavan.

The protesters carrying placards and banners raised slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) -- "Rahulji kare jana seva, BJP kare hamla jaanleva", "Rahulji ke nahi rukenge kadam, Modi chahe karle jithne zulm", "Gandhiji ke Gujarat me hinsa, Modi teri kaisi mansha".

Addressing the protesters, Maken said that the Friday attack in Bansakantha district was not just on Rahul Gandhi or the Congress but an attack on India's democracy.

The former Union Minister said the Congress or its leaders will not be cowed by stone-pelters or those waving black flags in the fight to help those affected by floods in Gujarat.

The Congress Vice President was not hurt in Friday's attack, though his personal security officer was.

Earlier in the day, Gujarat Police arrested Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Youth Wing Palanpur unit General Secretary Jayesh Darji in connection with the attack.

Maken said the three-year rule of the BJP at the Centre could be described in just one word -- pattharbaazi (stone-throwing).

"... whether it is the stone attack on Rahulji, stone-pelting at our soldiers in Kashmir, or stoning minorities to death."

He said this kind of hatred had never been witnessed in the country, and such attacks were being witnessed only during the National Democratic Alliance rule.

Earlier in the day, the Indian Youth Congress and National Students Union of India (NSUI) workers staged a protest outside the BJP headquarters in central Delhi and raised slogans against the party that leads the NDA.

The police used mild force to disperse the crowd.

--IANS

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