Congress Holds ‘Save Democracy March’ in Gumla, Alleges Voter Rights Under Threat

The Gumla District Congress Committee organised a ‘Save Democracy March’ on Friday, accusing the authorities of undermining voters’ rights and demanding greater transparency in the electoral process.

Led by district Congress president Rajneel Tigga, the march began at the Gandhi Memorial Indoor Stadium. Congress workers participated wearing black armbands and black T-shirts, describing the demonstration as a protest against what they termed attempts to weaken democracy.

During the march, participants raised slogans such as “Who will protect democracy? We will”, “We fought the British earlier, now we will fight vote thieves”, “Gyanesh Kumar, resign” and “Where will you find vote thieves? At BJP offices”. The slogans reflected the party’s allegations of vote theft and its opposition to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

The march passed through Kachahari Road, Jashpur Road, Patel Chowk, Main Road and High School Road before returning to Jashpur Road. The participants subsequently reached the statue of Dr B.R. Ambedkar, where Congress leaders offered floral tributes. Addressing a gathering afterwards, party leaders called for continued efforts to protect the Constitution and democratic institutions.

Ashok Chaudhary raises concerns over voter rights

Congress Lok Sabha in-charge Ashok Kumar Chaudhary said democracy was strengthened not merely by holding elections but also by protecting every eligible citizen’s right to vote.

He said the party would oppose any instance in which a genuine voter’s name was removed from the electoral rolls or their voting rights were questioned during the SIR exercise. Referring to the Congress’s role in the freedom struggle, he said the party was now fighting to protect constitutional principles and democratic rights.

“Voting is the strength of the people. Any interference with this strength amounts to interference with democracy,” Chaudhary said, adding that the party would oppose such actions at every level.

Vijay Khan seeks transparency from Election Commission

Congress Lok Sabha co-in-charge Vijay Khan said the Election Commission was responsible for addressing questions concerning electoral rolls and the election process.

He said public concerns should be resolved transparently rather than suppressed. According to Khan, the party’s campaign was aimed at protecting voting rights and ensuring transparency in democratic processes.

He also urged party workers to remain active at the booth level and help safeguard the rights of individual voters.

Rajneel Tigga calls for vigilance at booth level

District Congress president Rajneel Tigga said the people had the right to decide who formed the government, and protecting that right was the party’s responsibility.

He maintained that no eligible voter should lose their place on the electoral rolls during the SIR exercise. Tigga urged party workers to check voter lists in their respective areas and assist anyone facing difficulties related to their registration.

“Every Congress worker will guard every single vote,” he said, adding that the party would oppose any attempt to weaken democracy through public protests and constitutional means.

Tigga also said the Congress would continue working to strengthen the Constitution and democratic institutions, following the principles associated with its chief architect, Dr B.R. Ambedkar.

Several party leaders and workers participated in the march, including Seema Sita Ekka, Rohit Oraon, Sanjeev alias Mithu Malani, Arun Kumar, Ghulam Sarwar, Mukhtar Alam, Ajit Kerketta, Raju Bhagat, Aditya Bhagat, Pradeep Minz, Pramod Khalkho, Jai Kujur, Vikas Gupta, Smail Kujur, Nilesh Oraon, Minhaj Khan, Sushil Kumar Hota, Rafi Ali, Rupesh Kumar, Jai Singh, Ganga Oraon, Chandrashekhar Oraon, Albert Tigga, Amrita Bhagat, Vijay Thakur, Dr Chandrakishore Kerketta, Jyoti Kujur, Yashoda Devi, Jahangir Alam, Firoz Alam, Sahab Wasim, Mohammad Moktar, Abhishek Soreng, Kalam Rai, Pancham Bilung and Meera Hamid, among others.

The demonstration formed part of the Congress’s campaign against alleged irregularities in electoral processes. The allegations raised by party leaders were presented as their political position during the protest.