Congress-VBA Protest March in Nagpur Curtailed by Police Over Security Concerns
In a significant development in Nagpur, a proposed protest march organized by the Congress party and the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) towards the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) headquarters in the Mahal area was curtailed on Monday. Police authorities denied permission for the full route, citing serious law and order concerns that could potentially disrupt public safety.
Route Restrictions and Traffic Diversions Announced
The march, which was originally planned to proceed from Samvidhan Chowk, will now be strictly restricted up to Morris Y Point only, according to official statements. Traffic restrictions will be actively enforced between 12 noon and 3 pm along the entire protest route to ensure minimal disruption to daily commuters.
Specific traffic diversions include:
- Vehicles moving from Rahate Colony towards Morris Y Point will be required to turn left at the Institute of Science intersection and then right at Manas Chowk.
- Traffic originating from Kamptee Road and Kasturchand Park Metro Station heading towards Samvidhan Chowk will be systematically diverted via Jaistambh Chowk and Akashwani Chowk.
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Lohit Matani emphasized that additional diversions might be implemented depending on the evolving ground situation, urging citizens to plan their travel accordingly during these hours.
Political Leadership and Protest Agenda
State Congress president Harshwardhan Sapkal and VBA chief Prakash Ambedkar are scheduled to lead the protest march, which is set to commence at 11 am. Party leaders have actively called for large-scale participation, signaling a deliberate show of strength against the BJP-led Central government.
The protest has been organized primarily over allegations linked to the controversial "Epstein files," with Congress leaders accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi of maintaining conspicuous silence on this critical issue. The party has further alleged a sustained and systematic campaign by the BJP to defame its top leadership, including prominent figures such as Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, and Priyanka Gandhi.
In a strongly worded statement, Congress leaders also criticized the Centre's foreign policy approach and accused both the BJP and RSS of actively undermining fundamental democratic values and institutions. The protest represents a significant political confrontation in the region, highlighting ongoing tensions between opposition parties and the ruling establishment.
