Rahul Gandhi LIVE Updates: Congress to hold ‘Mashal’ march tonight. Check routes, other details

Lok Sabha adjourned for the day amid protests by opposition members.

The Congress on Tuesday announced a ‘Mashal’ march from Red Fort to Town Hall in old Delhi's Chandni Chowk in the evening. The march is against the disqualification of party leader Rahul Gandhi from Lok Sabha. Several Congress MPs will participate in the 'Loktantra Bachao Mashal Shanti March' starting from Red Fort at 7 pm, news agency ANI reported. Read here

The United States is watching Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's case in Indian courts, US Department of State Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel said on Monday (local time), adding that the US engages with the Indian government on a shared commitment to democratic values, including freedom of expression.

"Respect for the rule of law and judicial independence is a cornerstone of any democracy, and we're watching Mr Gandhi's (Rahul Gandhi) case in Indian courts," he said in a press briefing while responding to a question regarding Rahul Gandhi's expulsion from the Indian Parliament.

The United States is watching Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's case in Indian courts, US Department of State Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel said on Monday (local time), adding that the US engages with the Indian government on a shared commitment to democratic values, including freedom of expression.

Congress and its allies staged protests in some other parts of the country against the disqualification of Rahul Gandhi as MP from Lok Sabha following his conviction in a criminal defamation case by a Surat court.

Indian Youth Congress workers were detained in Delhi after they protested over the disqualification of Rahul Gandhi as an MP.

Congress MP Pramod Tiwari said the notice shows "BJP's hatred towards Rahul Gandhi".

"For a period of 30 days after the notice is served, one can rightfully continue to stay in the same house. After the 30-day time period, one can continue to stay in the same house by paying rent at market rates. Rahul Gandhi comes under 'Z' plus security category," he said.

Congress leader Harish Rawat said they were not surprised that notice has been given to vacate the bungalow.

"Since Rahul Gandhi questioned the PM regarding the Adani issue, the government is trying to show that they will silence the voice that disagrees with them," he said.

UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi was among those present at the meeting of opposition leaders.

Leaders from DMK, NCP, JD-U, Bharat Rashtra Samithi, CPI-M, CPI, AAP, MDMK, TMC, RSP, RJD, National Conference, IUML, Samajwadi Party and JMM were among those present. Shiv Sena (UBT) was not present amid its concerns over Rahul Gandhi's remarks concerning VD Savarkar.

The meeting of like-minded opposition parties was held at the residence of Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge who had invited the leaders for a dinner.

Sources said the meeting of like-minded opposition parties decided that the protest of opposition parties will continue and will be held in front of the Gandhi statue in Parliament tomorrow with all of the opposition wearing black clothes.

The final call will be taken at the meeting to be held at Kharge's chamber in Parliament, they said.

The opposition parties on Monday decided to continue their 'black' protest on Tuesday against the BJP-led government over the disqualification of Rahul Gandhi and "trampling upon democracy in the country" and a final call will be taken in the morning, sources said.

The meeting of like-minded opposition parties was held at the residence of Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge who had invited the leaders for a dinner.

Rahul Gandhi, on Friday, was disqualified as a member of the Lok Sabha, a day after a Surat court sentenced him to two years imprisonment in a defamation case filed against him over his 'Modi surname' remark.

The decision came pertaining to his remark made in April 2019, where he had said "how come all the thieves have Modi as the common surname" at a Lok Sabha election rally at Kolar in Karnataka. The court approved Gandhi's bail on a surety and stayed the sentence for 30 days to allow him to approach the higher courts.

Notably, days after his disqualification as MP following a Surat court's verdict in a criminal defamation case, the Housing Committee of Lok Sabha has sent Congress leader Rahul Gandhi a notice to vacate the government bungalow allotted to him.

Rahul Gandhi has been asked to vacate 12, Tughlaq Lane in the national capital.

Rahul Gandhi has been given a period of 30 days to vacate the premises to avoid eviction.

Rahul Gandhi, on Friday, was disqualified as a member of the Lok Sabha, a day after a Surat court sentenced him to two years imprisonment in a defamation case filed against him over his 'Modi surname' remark.

As Congress leader, Rahul Gandhi's disqualification has triggered a war of words between the grand old party and the BJP-led Union government, party general secretary KC Venugopal said that every opposition party is together and they will move forward with the same energy.

Venugopal further took a jibe at the notification sent by the Housing Committee of Lok Sabha asking to vacate the government bungalow allotted to him.

"Rahul Gandhi is not worried about the house. Whatever the government of India is doing with the country's democracy is a bigger issue, that is what he told. Every Opposition party is together, we had a cordial discussion and we will move forward with the same energy," he told ANI.

Protest of Opposition parties in black clothes will continue tomorrow as well in front of Gandhi statue in Parliament. Final call to be taken tomorrow at a meeting at Rajya Sabha LoP office.