Congress stages dharna against Rahul Gandhi's detention, PM Modi's effigy burnt in Lucknow

Lucknow: Taking strong exception to the detention of Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi in New Delhi today, Congress staged protest dharnas and burnt the effigy of Prime Minister Narendra Modi here.

On the instructions of UPCC president Raj Babbar, the ongoing 'Rahul Sandesh Yatras' were converted into dharnas at different places in the state where party workers protested against the detention of their leader, chairman of party's communications department Satyadev Tripathi said.

Youth Congress (Central) activists led by media chairman Anshu Awasthi burned the prime minister's effigy near the Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee headquarters here, a party release said.

Speaking on the occasion, Awasthi hit out at the central government's alleged efforts to crush democracy and vowed to continue the struggle against it.
"The country today witnessed the atrocities of the Modi government which created hurdles for Rahul Gandhi in taking up fight for soldiers....Our leader has always stood for the rights of those suffering and will continue to do so," he alleged.

Earlier in New Delhi, Gandhi was detained after he tried to enter RML hospital to meet the family of Ram Kishan Grewal, an ex-serviceman who allegedly committed suicide over the OROP issue.