Congress president Rahul Gandhi will lead the protest on Monday as part of a nationwide “fast” by the party to protest against the Narendra Modi-led BJP government and what they called the non-functioning of Parliament during the recently concluded Budget Session.

Rahul Gandhi’s fast will soon begin at Raj Ghat in New Delhi. The Congress chief will be accompanied by Delhi Congress chief Ajay Maken and other party workers to observe a day-long fast.

Congress workers will hold the fast in all state and district headquarters to protest against the BJP government. The party said the objective was to “promote communal harmony and peace across the country”.

Atrocities against Dalits, adivasis, & minorities are rising under the Modi Govt. Congress Party units across India will be observing a fast today to protest against this & to promote harmony amongst various sections of society. #CongressForPeaceAndHarmony

— Congress (@INCIndia) April 9, 2018

The Congress will also take up issues related to alleged dilution of the SC/ST Act, farm distress and disillusionment among the youth and the failure of government to hold discussion in Parliament on key issues such as the CBSE paper leak, the multi-crore PNB scam, Cauvery issue and Special Category Status to Andhra Pradesh.

Earlier, the Congress had claimed that it was the government that was responsible for not letting Parliament function and termed as a “gimmick” and “drama” the move by NDA MPs to forgo their salary for 23 days when Parliament did not function.

The Congress had announced a fast of its own on 6 April a day after it was announced that ruling BJP MPs will sit on day-long fasts in their respective constituencies on April 12 to protest the washout of the second half of the budget session.

Congress had released a statement saying, “Peace and harmony has been embodied in the soul of this country and the responsibility to uphold it lies with the Congress. Clearly BJP ruled Centre and state governments didn’t initiate any steps to curb the violence neither to protect the fraternity, therfore it becomes even more important for the Congress to lead the nation in tough time.”

The Budget Session of Parliament started on January 29 and concluded on Thursday. IN-between there was recess from February 9 till March 5.

(With PTI inputs)