Udupi: Solidarity Youth Movement leader Nihal Kidiyoor described the ongoing struggle to protect democracy as a battle between the ideologies of Nathuram Godse and Mahatma Gandhi while addressing a protest organised by Solidarity Udupi at Ajjarkad in Udupi.
The protest demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar and the immediate release of activists and protesters detained during a demonstration in Delhi. Speakers at the gathering raised concerns about democratic institutions, electoral transparency and the alleged suppression of dissent.
Several activists and community representatives participated in the demonstration, calling for accountability and the protection of constitutional principles.
Nihal Kidiyoor invokes Gandhi and Godse
Addressing the gathering, Nihal Kidiyoor said the protest represented a fight to protect the soul of democracy. He characterised the ideological struggle as one between the principles associated with Mahatma Gandhi and those associated with Nathuram Godse.
“Our path has always been that of Gandhi. However, the BJP government is attempting to suppress our voices, just as Godse silenced Gandhi,” Nihal said.
He criticised what he described as the government’s approach towards dissent and compared its alleged methods to those of the regimes led by Benito Mussolini and Adolf Hitler.
Nihal argued that such an approach undermined the meaning of freedom and democratic participation. He also called for the immediate release of all political prisoners, reiterating the protest’s demand for the release of those detained during the demonstration in Delhi.
His remarks placed the protest within the broader debate over freedom of expression, the right to demonstrate and the functioning of democratic institutions.
Protest demands CEC’s resignation
The demonstration at Ajjarkad included a demand for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Organisers and speakers questioned the functioning of the Election Commission and called for greater transparency in electoral processes.
Amrit Shenoy, who addressed the gathering, said the Election Commission must function with complete transparency. He alleged that the commission was engaging in irregularities and described such actions as unconstitutional.
Shenoy also defended those taking to the streets to oppose what he characterised as anti-constitutional actions, calling them true patriots.
The speakers stressed the importance of accountability in institutions responsible for conducting elections. Their remarks reflected the protesters’ concerns about the credibility and transparency of the electoral process.
The allegations raised at the gathering were part of the protesters’ political criticism and were not independently established during the event.
Sundar Master criticises Union government
Sundar Master also addressed the protest, criticising the BJP-led Union government and alleging that it had exploited religious divisions between Hindus and Muslims to gain political power.
He further alleged that the government was attempting to undermine democratic institutions and accused Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar of betraying the country’s electoral system.
Sundar Master demanded the CEC’s immediate resignation, reiterating one of the central demands of the demonstration.
The speakers called for stronger safeguards for democratic institutions and emphasised the importance of maintaining public confidence in the electoral system. Their speeches also highlighted concerns about political accountability and the space available for citizens and activists to express dissent.
Leaders and activists participate
Idris Hoode and other leaders also addressed the gathering, expressing their views on the issues raised by the organisers.
Among those present were APCR state secretary Hussain Kodibengre, Minority Forum president Charles Ambler, Udupi District Muslim Federation vice-president Sayeed Fareed, Manjunath Giliyaru, Shyamraj Birti, Kulsum Abubakkar and Abdul Aziz Udyavara.
Nifal Kidiyoor of the Students Islamic Organisation (SIO) and Nisar Udupi were also present.
Yaseen Kodibengre compered the programme and proposed the vote of thanks.
The participation of activists and representatives from various organisations brought together individuals who shared the protest’s stated concerns about democratic rights, electoral transparency and the detention of demonstrators.
Protest highlights concerns over democratic rights
The Solidarity Udupi protest focused on the organisers’ demands for the resignation of the Chief Election Commissioner and the release of activists detained during the Delhi demonstration.
Speakers used the occasion to raise questions about the functioning of democratic institutions, the conduct of elections and the treatment of political dissent. They called for transparency, accountability and respect for constitutional principles.
The demonstration at Ajjarkad formed part of the public expression of these concerns, with participants reiterating their demands through speeches and collective protest.
The organisers’ demands and the allegations made by the speakers were central to the gathering, while any official response to the claims was not included in the information provided about the event.