Members of Chandigarh Youth Congress, led by State President Manoj Lubana, staged a peaceful demonstration outside the Municipal Corporation office on Wednesday, denouncing what they perceived as an undemocratic mayoral election in Chandigarh. The administration deployed a significant number of paramilitary forces, implementing strict security measures, including barricading, to maintain order.
The protest, initially aimed at expressing concerns about the fairness of the election process, took an unexpected turn when law enforcement officials intervened, leading to the detention of Manoj Lubana and several other Youth Congress members. Reports suggest that police allegedly mistreated the protesters, infringing on their right to peaceful assembly.
Youth Congress vehemently condemns any infringement on the right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression. State President Manoj Lubana emphasized the importance of democratic values, stating, “Our democratic principles are sacrosanct, and we will not tolerate any efforts to silence the people’s voice. We demand transparency and fairness in the mayoral elections, and we call for accountability for the citizens we represent.” The Youth Congress vows to continue advocating for the rights of the people.
Chandigarh Youth Congress is demanding an immediate investigation into the alleged misconduct by law enforcement officials during the protests. They are committed to upholding the democratic principles that form the foundation of the nation.
Chandigarh Mahila Congress President Deepa Dubey expressed strong condemnation, describing the events as a “murder of democracy.” She emphasized the unfortunate coincidence of the mayoral elections on the anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi’s assassination, linking it metaphorically to an attack on democracy by BJP and Godse followers.
Deepa Dubey called for legal action against Presiding Officer Anil Massey, stating that Section 420 should be invoked. Other prominent figures present at the protest included Harmal Kesari, Preeti Kesari, Ashish Ghaznavi, Sandeep, Pradeep, Manzoor Khan, Harman Jassar, Ashish Pal, Manish Rai, Ranjot Singh, Dev, and Ansh Upadhyay.
