DK Shivakumar Says Rahul Gandhi Will Not Be Intimidated By More Cases

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar on Wednesday said Rahul Gandhi would not be intimidated by legal cases and would continue raising his voice on issues he believes require public attention.

Speaking at a protest organised by the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee at Freedom Park in Bengaluru, Shivakumar strongly criticised the FIR registered against the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha in Uttarakhand.

Shivakumar said the Congress party had a long history of political struggles and would not step back because of cases or pressure. He described Rahul Gandhi as someone who has consistently chosen confrontation over backing down and said even a large number of cases would not change that approach.

The protest was organised to oppose what Congress leaders described as a politically motivated case against Rahul Gandhi. Party workers and leaders gathered at Freedom Park to express their support for him and question the circumstances surrounding the FIR.

Shivakumar also used the occasion to highlight the Congress party’s historical role in India’s freedom movement and political development. He said the party’s history was closely connected with the country’s history and argued that Congress had contributed to the formation and strengthening of democratic institutions.

He referred to the sacrifices associated with several members of the Gandhi family and senior Congress leaders. According to Shivakumar, the party’s leaders have faced imprisonment, political pressure and personal challenges over the years without abandoning their political positions.

The Deputy Chief Minister also connected the protest with the Congress campaign around Mahatma Gandhi’s legacy and the Constitution. He said the party’s earlier Jai Bapu, Jai Bhim, Jai Samvidhan programme in Belagavi had reflected its message of social equality and constitutional values.

He questioned why a political gathering addressed by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge in Uttarakhand was followed by an alleged cleaning exercise at the location. Shivakumar argued that questioning such an incident should not itself become the reason for registering a criminal case.

The Karnataka Congress leader also criticised the handling of protests involving young people and raised questions about the response of the central government to such incidents. He said governments should be willing to examine mistakes when concerns are raised instead of avoiding public discussion.

Shivakumar further attacked the BJP’s political approach, accusing it of attempting to suppress opposing voices. He predicted that Congress would return to power in Karnataka in 2028 and at the national level in 2029, saying the party’s programmes had received public support.

He also recalled the Bharat Jodo Yatra and said its broader message was that people from different communities and backgrounds should move forward together. According to him, social divisions based on caste and religion should not determine how citizens are treated.

Former Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah also spoke at the protest and criticised the FIR against Rahul Gandhi. He claimed that Rahul Gandhi had not committed any wrongdoing and said the case was an injustice.

Siddaramaiah referred to the controversy surrounding the alleged cleaning of the location where Mallikarjun Kharge had delivered a speech. He argued that questioning such an action could not reasonably be treated as an offence and linked the issue to constitutional protections against untouchability.

The former Chief Minister said the incident should be viewed not only as an alleged insult to Kharge but also in the context of Rahul Gandhi’s position as Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha. He questioned why a case was registered against Rahul Gandhi for raising the issue.

Siddaramaiah also recalled previous legal action involving Rahul Gandhi and said the Congress leader had faced cases after criticising the central government. He alleged that attempts were being made to silence Rahul Gandhi politically.

He said Congress leaders would continue to stand with Rahul Gandhi and strengthen his political campaign. The party has also called for wider protests against what it describes as the misuse of legal action for political purposes.

The latest protest reflects the growing political confrontation between the Congress and BJP over Rahul Gandhi and the Uttarakhand FIR. While Congress leaders have described the case as an attempt to suppress dissent, the matter remains subject to the legal process.