 "Congress, Sonia Gandhi")
Marching the kilometre long route from Parliament to Rashtrapati Bhavan, accompanied by Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, senior leaders Mallikarjun Kharge, Ghulam Nabi Azad and A K Antony.
Addressing the media subsequently Gandhi reiterated that the current atmosphere of fear, intolerance and intimidation was being actively encouraged and used as a well thought out strategy to divide society on communal lines. Gandhi said, "The Congress party will fight these forces with all its strength."
Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi said "large numbers of people have made it clear that they are unhappy with the way the government views this country" referring to the protests by writers, artistes and historians. Castigating serving ministers in the government ( VK Singh) for his 'dogs' remark for describing the death of two Dalit children, Rahul Gandhi said, "It is not a matter of just Congress party alone. It is a problem of every single Indian... "
Referring to FM Arun Jaitley's rebutting the accusations, Gandhi said: "The Prime Minister and the Finance Minister believe nothing is happening in the country and they feel everything is fine. This is the heart of the problem. These people believe in intolerance. Ideologically they are not tolerant."
In its memorandum to the President the party conveyed its "grave concern at growing atmosphere of fear, intolerance and intimidation being deliberately created by sections of ruling establishment". It expressed gratitude to the President for speaking out "strongly and unequivocally against forces of prejudice, bigotry and intolerance".
The Congress expressed "deep regret that the Prime Minister had not deemed it fit to do so and worse, his council of ministers continue to harbour individuals who are contributing heavily to spreading hate and divisiveness".
