New Delhi: Rajasthan Congress in Rajasthan’s Jaipur on Wednesday staged a ‘silent Satyagrah’ in solidarity with former party chief Rahul Gandhi.

The protest was held after the Gujarat High Court upheld in conviction in Modi Surname defamation case. Meanwhile, the protestors were seen wearing black arm bands to the protest spot.

State Congress president Govind Singh Dotasra, party’s incharge for the state Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa and other leaders were present in the Satyagraha along with many party workers.

Earlier on July 7, the Gujarat High Court refused to order a stay on senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s conviction order and upheld the verdict given by Sessions Court.

This has come to Congress as a major blow that has lowered Rahul Gandhi’s chances to be reinstated in the Lok Sabha. Had the Gujarat court allowed him the stay then, Rahul Gandhi might have gotten his Lok Sabha seat back.

Rahul Gandhi will not be able to contest elections or seek revocation of the suspension of his status as a Member of Parliament (MP). He can appeal the High Court order in the Supreme Court.

Gujarat HC said the Trial Court conviction order is proper, there is no need to interfere with the said order. Therefore, the application is dismissed. The Court further noted that at least 10 criminal cases are still pending against Rahul Gandhi.

Convicted in March 

Earlier a lower court in Surat on March 23, had found Rahul Gandhi guilty in a criminal defamation case. That led to his disqualification from Lok Sabha.