BANGALORE: The disqualification of Congressman Rahul Gandhi from Parliament and the "politics of vendetta" unleashed by the Centre were the targets of a "silent protest" staged here on Wednesday by Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his deputy D K Shivakumar in addition to a number of ministers, lawmakers and top Congress leaders in the state.

This comes days after the BJP declared it would petition the Supreme Court to overturn Gandhi's conviction in a 2019 defamation case involving his "Modi surname" statements after the Gujarat High Court declined to grant a stay of execution.

To symbolise that the right to free speech was under jeopardy and that anyone speaking out against the Central government would face repercussions, the protesters wrapped a black ribbon around their mouths.

The phrase "roar of the truth must prevail" was written on banners that Siddaramaiah, Shivakumar, and others held in this city's Freedom Park. The placards featured a picture of Rahul Gandhi.

Those who participated in the silent protest included the leader of the Kerala PCC, K. Sudhakaran, the leader of the opposition in the assembly, V. D. Satheesan, several MPs, including Kodikunnil Suresh, Rajmohan Unnithan, and K. Muraleedharan, as well as presidents of different District Congress Committees.

The All India Congress Committee (AICC) had on July 9 stated that as a show of protest, its workers and leaders will hold a "maun satyagraha" (Silent protest) in every state capital today. The AICC said that the BJP used "dirty tricks" to remove Rahul Gandhi from Parliament.

Kharge and Rahul honor ex-Andhra CM YSR on his 74th birth anniversary

Gujarat High Court to deliver verdict on Rahul Gandhi’s plea today