The Opposition INDIA combine on Friday exhorted the people to oust Narendra Modi from power if they desired constitutional rule and democracy in the country, promising to remain united in their objective to fight authoritarian tendencies.

Condemning the unprecedented suspension of 146 MPs, most speakers at a protest meeting at Jantar Mantar said what had happened represented not merely action against some members but a far more sinister design to destroy parliamentary democracy.

Using strong words like “fascist dictator” and “Hitler ke chele” (Hitler’s acolytes), many leaders expressed fear for the fate of Parliament and the Constitution if Modi returned to power. The Congress also held protests across the country against the suspensions.

Addressing the gathering, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said: “Modi-Shah are hell-bent on destroying democracy. The MPs were suspended without any fault. Some of those suspended had not even opened their mouth, they were sitting quietly in their seats. Modi is trying to strike fear; he suppresses everybody using ED-CBI. We are not going to be frightened.”

Referring to the “diversionary ploy” of Vice-President and Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar who has sought to project as an “insult to Jats” an alleged mimicry attempt by an Opposition MP, Kharge said: “And a person occupying high constitutional position refers to his caste while crying about being insulted. You have taken an oath to protect the Constitution. When we give notices for discussion when Dalits are tortured, farmers are killed, women are raped, when the Constitution is attacked… you don’t even allow us to read the notice. I am not allowed to speak. Should I say it is because I am a Dalit?”

Questioning the government’s declaration that the BJP will win 400 seats, Kharge said: “From where does such arrogance come? What’s the reason? You are not so popular. You roamed the streets of Himachal, Karnataka and Telangana and lost. How will you win 400 seats? The people have given you power and the people will throw you out.”

Addressing the meeting, Rahul Gandhi said: “Modi wants to rule by fear. He brought in the Agniveer scheme (for short-term recruitment of soldiers). When the youth started protesting, the government threatened them. They said we would identify you through protest videos and not give you government jobs. You control the media and think that India’s youth can be frightened. You think India’s wealth can be handed over to two-three industrialists. You have not yet understood India. We will counter your rule-by-fear doctrine with love and harmony, and defeat you.”

Rahul repeated that the security breach in Parliament was a serious issue but said it was true that “dreadful unemployment” had caused unrest among the youth. “I got a small survey done to find out the plight of the urban youth. We found that an average youth is spending seven-and-a-half hours on his mobile phone, surfing social media platforms. This is because Modi has not given them jobs.”

The protest was attended by leaders of the Trinamul Congress, RJD, DMK, Samajwadi Party, JDU, CPI, CPM, JMM, NCP, RLD, National Conference and other INDIA partners.

Condemning the government’s “repressive measures”, NCP leader Sharad Pawar said: “The home minister was duty bound to explain in Parliament what happened on December 13. But the government’s response was to suspend 146 MPs. They want to crush the Opposition’s voice but we are ready to make any sacrifice to save democracy.”

CPM general secretary Sitaram Yechury said: “There is a serious question mark about Parliament’s survival if Modi returns to power. What’s happening is murder of democracy.”

The CPI’s D. Raja said Modi wanted to make Parliament redundant and the people should rise against the “fascist dictator”. The RJD’s Manoj Jha said: “The government wants a dissent-free Parliament, protest-free streets and a question-free media.”

The Congress also raised the issue of the protesting wrestlers, with Jairam Ramesh saying: “Insulting athletes like Bajrang Punia and Sakshi Malik is an insult to the entire country. Such helplessness of sports icons of international fame in front of the government is shameful. The Prime Minister should have shed his arrogance at least in this matter and assured the athletes. But the Prime Minister and the BJP stand with those accused of sexual exploitation when the country stands with the athletes.”

Describing the entire episode as a “dark chapter” in India’s history, Congress general secretary Randeep Surjewala said it had been proved that BJP MP and former Wrestling Federation of India chief Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh had used the system to defeat the sports icons with Modi’s patronage. Hew said “our daughters will not get justice if the perpetrators of the crime belong to the BJP”, and added that the government’s attitude was a matter of national shame.