Hyderabad: Telangana Government Advisor Shabbir Ali said the BJP-led Central government could not silence Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi through arrests or police action. He made the remarks after police detained him during the Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee’s “Chalo Lok Bhavan” protest on Wednesday.
Police stopped Shabbir Ali near Lok Bhavan while he was heading to the protest. Officers later shifted him to the Panjagutta Police Station.
Speaking to reporters, he said Rahul Gandhi had consistently raised issues such as paper leaks, examination irregularities, unemployment and problems faced by students. According to him, Rahul Gandhi had questioned the Central government both inside Parliament and outside.
He alleged that arrests could not suppress Rahul Gandhi’s voice or the concerns of young people seeking justice and accountability. Moreover, he accused the Union government of using police action instead of addressing issues related to examination irregularities.
Shabbir Ali demands action on paper leaks
The TPCC organised the protest after Delhi Police detained Rahul Gandhi, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and other Opposition leaders during a sit-in near the Prime Minister’s residence at Lok Kalyan Marg on Tuesday.
Furthermore, Shabbir Ali demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. He also sought the withdrawal of FIRs registered against students. In addition, he called for a detailed discussion in Parliament on paper leaks and examination irregularities.
Minister G. Vivek Venkatswamy, MLAs Danam Nagender, Naveen Yadav, Mandula Samuel, Shankar and Kumbam Anil Kumar Reddy also joined the protest. Meanwhile, police detained them along with several corporation chairpersons and Congress leaders while they attempted to reach Lok Bhavan.
Finally, Shabbir Ali said democratic protests should not be met with police action. He urged the Centre to address students’ concerns instead of targeting Opposition leaders.
