Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Monday, 12 October clarified that the INDIA bloc's planned march to the Supreme Court in New Delhi was not directed against any individual but was aimed at defending democratic institutions for which Congress leaders had, in his words, laid down their lives. The march, led by Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, is framed by the opposition as a protest against what it calls the 'murder of democracy' through alleged vote theft.

What Sukhu Said

'In a democracy, it is the responsibility of the opposition to raise its voice strongly, and Rahul Gandhi has done so,' Sukhu said. 'The Congress party is trying to convey its voice to all constitutional institutions. No opposition party has any responsibility to damage property. However, I believe that there have been attempts to weaken the democracy that has remained strong for the past 70-80 years, and this is a voice against attempts to gain power through vote theft.'

He drew a pointed contrast with India's neighbourhood, noting that Pakistan — a neighbouring country — had failed to sustain a strong democracy, while Congress, he argued, had made a 'major contribution' to India's democratic foundations.

The Vote-Theft Allegation

Sukhu noted that Rahul Gandhi had first raised the issue of alleged vote theft two years ago, and claimed that subsequent developments had vindicated those concerns. He alleged that authorities were attempting to suppress public dissent, citing instances of railway station closures and internet service suspensions. 'The government tries to suppress the voice and public dissent, but it cannot be silenced,' he said.

Congress Seeks Supreme Court Meeting

Speaking to reporters, Sukhu confirmed that the Indian National Congress (Congress) and the All India Congress Committee (AICC) were actively seeking a meeting with the Supreme Court to place their concerns on the record. He characterised the day's protest as a constitutional act, not a confrontation. 'Today's protest is against what we believe is the murder of democracy,' he said.

Agnihotri on Himachal Turnout

Himachal Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri said people from across the state had responded to Rahul Gandhi's 'Delhi chalo' call and were arriving in the capital with what he described as 'strong determination' to participate in the Supreme Court march. The deputy chief minister's remarks underlined the organisational effort the party has put behind the demonstration, bringing in supporters from a state it governs.

The march marks a significant escalation in the opposition's street-level campaign against the ruling establishment, and all eyes are now on whether the Supreme Court agrees to receive any delegation from the Congress or INDIA bloc leadership.