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.

In the joint meeting of opposition leaders in Parliament against Rahul Gandhi's disqualification, two Trinamool Congress MPs - Prasun Banerjee and Jawhar Sircar - became the attendees. Their presence was noted by Congress boss Mallikarjun Kharge.

Opposition MPs in Rajya Sabha raise slogans demanding the constitution of JPC on the Adani stocks issue.

House adjourned to meet again at 11am on 28th March.

"What was the haste to disqualify Rahul Gandhi? He was disqualified within 24 hours. His family has a history. They fought the British, went to jail and sacrificed for the nation. Today he - their descendant - has to face this. You might have grievances but nothing should be done out of prejudice," said SP MP ST Hasan.

"If someone says, ‘Hasan is corrupt,’ does that defame the entire Hasan community? This is just face-saving. OBC community knows this. They are saying that what is happening is wrong, and that Rahul Gandhi didn't insult anyone. He should not have been disqualified hastily," Hasan added. 

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday continue his tirade against Modi government and put allegations that public's retirement money being invested in Adani's companies in a tweet.

"Wrong statement. He's a Gandhi but no need to drag Savarkar's name. Savarkar is our inspiration. Inspiration behind our fight is Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj & Veer Savarkar," says Sanjay Raut on Rahul Gandhi's "My name isn't Savarkar & Gandhi never apologises" remark. "I will definitely try to speak to him," he says when asked if he will speak face-to-face with Rahul Gandhi in Delhi over this issue (Rahul Gandhi's "My name is not Savarkar, it is Gandhi and Gandhi never offers an apology" remark)

The Prime Minister who took India to new heights, if some people have to say these things about him then the public will give them a befitting reply just like they have done before: Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's reported "coward" remark about PM Modi

In an attempt to show unity, the opposition parties protested against the Centre over the Adani Group issue wearing black attire and marched from the Parliament complex towards Vijay Chowk in the national capital on Monday.

The opposition MPs raised slogans against the government at the Gandhi statue in the complex and demanded the constitution of a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) over the Adani issue.

Why are we here in black clothes? We want to show that PM Modi is ending democracy in the country. He first finished autonomous bodies, then they put up their own govt everywhere by threatening those who had won polls. Then they used ED, CBI to use bend those who didn't bow: Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge

Former Lakshadweep MP Mohammed Faizal seeks early hearing in SC on plea challenging his disqualification from Lok Sabha. SC agrees to list for hearing on Tuesday plea of disqualified Lakshadweep MP Mohammed Faizal.

Opposition MPs protest near Gandhi statue in Parliament, wearing black attire, over Adani Group issue. Congress president Rajya Sabha LoP Mallikarjun Kharge and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi also join the protest.

Rajya Sabha proceedings adjourned till 2 pm as opposition creates ruckus over Adani issue.

On Opposition's protest over disqualification of Rahul Gandhi, Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri says, "...You are getting an ass to run a horse's race...They really deserve to do some serious introspection...People of India would judge them for what they are...Fight Court's action in the Court, you are invoking Mahabharat and Savarkar."

A strategy meeting of Opposition leaders is underway at the chamber of LoP Rajya Sabha and Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge in Parliament building.

Leaders of INC, DMK, SP, JD(U), BRS, CPI(M), RJD, NCP, CPI, IUML, MDMK, Kerala Congress, TMC, RSP, AAP, J&K NC & Shiv Sena are present.

To distract the attention from all issues, PM Modi has brought forth the issue of OBC & traitor issue from London...If you want to speak against Rahul Gandhi why is it not said in Parliament? Is Parliament the place to apologise? Had that been the case, PM Modi would have had to apologise dozens of times."

When we speak in Parliament, they don't let the House function. When we speak outside, they take a decision that leads to disqualification. When we sit in protest in black clothes in front of these black-hearted people who butcher democracy, I'll show them my black watch & tell them that your time is up & democracy would come to the country after 2024. Opposition would form the Govt with a 3/4 majority: Congress MP Pramod Tiwari

We want the truth to come out. If Adani's assets have increased in just two and a half years, what can be the reason behind it? If he has magic that can do that, we would like to tell the same to the citizens...If JPC is constituted, we would get to know about the magic and people would also come to know: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge

Hitting out at Rahul Gandhi, Union Minister Anurag Thakur has said the Congress leader can never be Veer Savarkar even in his "best dreams" as it required strong determination and love for the country.

We have seen Rahul Gandhi working as a habitual offender. In 2018, when he was reprimanded by Supreme Court, he protected himself by apologising. He will have to remember that the SC had told him to refrain from making such mistakes in future. Despite being given an opportunity by Court to tender an apology, out of arrogance he considered this an insult. After sentencing, the manner in which Congress questioned the Court, judiciary and the judge, makes it clear that the party, party's leadership & leaders don't believe in Constitution & judiciary: Union Minister GS Shekhawat

AAP MP Raghav Chadha files suspension of business notice under Rule 267 in Rajya Sabha to discuss "the attempts being made by the ruling dispensation to eliminate political opponents through frivolous criminal cases across the country, disqualifying them as elected representatives and putting prominent members from the opposition behind bars in order to suppress the voice of the opposition"

TMC MPs Jawhar Sircar and Prasun Banerjee to participate in the meeting called by Congress chief & Rajya Sabha LoP Mallikarjun Kharge today: Sources

Congress MPs from both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha to meet at the Congress Parliamentary Party office at the Parliament at 10.30 am today.

Congress MP Manish Tewari gives adjournment motion notice in Lok Sabha to discuss the disqualification of Rahul Gandhi

Members of the United Democratic Front (UDF) on Sunday took out a torch march in Thiruvambady in Kerala's Wayanad constituency against the Central government in the wake of the disqualification of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi from Lok Sabha who was representing the seat in Parliament.

Several protest marches are being organised by Congress and UDF across the constituency against Rahul Gandhi's disqualification.

In Kozhikode, Muslim Youth League also conducted a light march.

Cautioning Congress leader Rahul Gandhi not to insult Vinayak Savarkar, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray warned that demeaning Savarkar would create "cracks" in the opposition alliance.

Uddhav Thackeray further said that he considers Hindutva ideologue V D Savarkar as his idol and asked the Congress leader to refrain from insulting him.

"Savarkar suffered unimaginable torture in the Andaman cellular jail for 14 years. We can only read the sufferings. It is a form of sacrifice. We will not tolerate the insult of Savarkar," Uddhav said.

I'm against this, be it Rahul Gandhi or Lalu Prasad Yadav or any other MP/MLA. Until last court announces sentence it (disqualification) shouldn't happen. It isn't good for democracy. In this way, entire Parliament and Vidhan Sabha will be emptied out: Ghulam Nabi Azad