The INDIA coalition’s protest march on 12 October 2024 drew thousands to the Supreme Court, where BJP MP Anurag Thakur leveled accusations against Rahul Gandhi.
Thakur slammed Gandhi’s remarks as “hollow” and insisted the opposition leader was destabilising constitutional institutions. “Rahul Gandhi is a ‘hawa hawai’ leader,” he declared, citing repeated claims of ‘vote chori’ that, according to Thakur, undermine the people’s mandate. He demanded that Gandhi present evidence for his complaints, recalling that the Supreme Court had warned the politician that the court was not a battleground for political theatrics.
Rahul Gandhi’s camp rebuffed the charges, calling Thakur’s statements baseless. Congress spokesperson Shalini Singh said, “Anurag Thakur’s remarks are a distraction from the real issues facing the nation.” The opposition also flagged that the protest was part of a broader plan to file petitions on electoral irregularities.
A Delhi resident, 47‑year‑old Ramesh Jain, who had joined the march, said he felt uneasy watching the heated exchange. “It’s hard to see leaders throw words like weapons,” he remarked, underscoring the tension that has seeped into everyday life.
The Supreme Court is scheduled to review the opposition’s petitions later this week, with a hearing set for 20 October. The court’s decision will determine whether the protest’s legal challenges proceed or are dismissed. Tags: politics, India, Supreme Court, Rahul Gandhi, Anurag Thakur