Members of the Congress party, including Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi, party president Sonia Gandhi and former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, were detained by the police on Friday.
Party workers protested the arrest outside the Parliament Street Police station, climbing over police barricades.
The party had taken out a 'Loktantra Bachao March' (Save Democracy March) against the BJP government, starting from Jantar Mantar.
Before the march, the party leaders collectively slammed the Narendra Modi government, asking them where their promised 'Achhe Din' was and accusing them of "attacking democracy."
"They don't know what we are made of"
Ms. Gandhi alleged that the Congress-led governments in >Uttarakhand and >Arunachal Pradesh were dislodged by the Modi regime with use of money power:
“Do not make the mistake of thinking that the Congress party is weak. We will not allow democratic institutions to be weakened or destroyed,” she said.
She said, "Today, Uttarakhand's jungles are burning but nothing is being done about it because there is no government. The BJP government is murdering democracy by taking down democratically elected governments. No matter how much they try to fight democracy, we will not let you succeed."
She asked Congress wokers to “unmask” the Modi government in a democratic way and said they would not buckle under any form of injustice. "We will take detractors head on. Life has taught me to struggle, we have faced a lot of challenges. They don't know what we are made of," she said.
“Do not try to frighten or defame us. Life has taught me to fight on,” the Congress Chief said, in the backdrop of the bribery allegations in the VVIP chopper deal case.
“Today those who do not agree with them are harassed,” she said, addressing the rally, and warned “ Inke din ab poore hogaye hai” (Their days are over now). People can teach them a lesson if they continue to indulge in it.”
Targeting RSS, Ms. Gandhi said, “We have to send a message so strong that people sitting in Raisina Hill and Nagpur sit up and listen.” Accusing the Modi government of “murdering democracy and destroying democratic institutions”, she said, “I want to say clearly that whatever effort you make to destroy democracy, we will not allow it to happen. We are used to waging struggle and we have faced many challenges in the past.
“Congress is not new to struggle. We have shed blood for the cause of the nation. We are the people who have given blood and laid down our lives to protect the basic principles. We will not withdraw from it.”
"Modiji has nothing to say"
"Modiji talked about 'Achhe din' when he came to power. But today, almost 40% of the country is affected by drought and he has nothing to say," said party vice-president Rahul Gandhi. "They destabilized the Congress government in Arunachal Pradesh, removed elected leaders & broke all laws," he said.
"Today in this country, there is talk of only two people - Narendra Modi ji and Mohan Bhagwat Ji. And whoever stands in their way or speaks against them, there are false accusations made about that person," he added.
Dr. Singh also spoke at the rally, saying Mr. Modi had attacked democracy. "By destabilising Congress governments in Uttarakhand and Arunachal Pradesh, Modi ji has attacked democracy. Now they are eyeing other INC governments," said Dr.Singh.
"Congress has always made sacrifices and taken steps to ensure that democracy is safe and we will continue to do so,"he added.
