New Delhi : In a resounding display of solidarity, thousands of individuals gathered on Sunday to participate in a rally organized by an alliance of India’s opposition parties. The “Save Democracy” rally marked a significant show of support for New Delhi’s top elected official and opposition leader, Arvind Kejriwal, whose arrest on March 21st has sparked widespread controversy.

Arvind Kejriwal was apprehended by the federal Enforcement Directorate, alleging that his party and state ministers had accepted a staggering 1 billion rupees ($12 million) in bribes from liquor contractors nearly two years ago. Despite the grave allegations, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), or Common Man’s Party, vehemently denied any wrongdoing, affirming that Kejriwal would continue to serve as New Delhi’s chief minister until the court adjudicates on the matter.

“This battle is to safeguard the nation, democracy, constitution, future of the nation, youth, farmers, and women. This battle is for justice and truth,” declared Deepender Singh Hooda, a lawmaker of the opposition Congress party, addressing reporters at the rally. The sentiment echoed throughout the gathering, encapsulating the collective call for transparency and accountability in governance.

Kejriwal’s arrest reverberated as a significant setback for the opposition bloc, which stands as the primary challenger to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the upcoming elections scheduled to commence over a six-week period starting April 19th.

Critics of the arrest, predominantly opposition leaders, have decried it as an assault on democracy, condemning the BJP for allegedly weaponizing federal agencies to undermine political adversaries. The sequence of arrests and corruption investigations targeting key opposition figures has fueled accusations of authoritarian tactics by the ruling party.

In response, the BJP refuted allegations of partisan targeting, asserting that law enforcement agencies operate autonomously without political interference. The BJP’s stance aims to assuage concerns regarding the impartiality of the investigation, amidst escalating tensions between the ruling party and the opposition.

As the nation braces for a pivotal electoral contest, the rally serves as a poignant reminder of the enduring struggle for justice, integrity, and the preservation of democratic values, casting a spotlight on the intricate interplay between power, accountability, and the will of the people.