The Indian Youth Congress has suspended at least 185 members across seven states for allegedly skipping the INDIA bloc's rally in Delhi on November 1. Among those facing disciplinary action is Youth Congress general secretary Rohit Rajoria, who claims he was removed from his post despite informing the party that he could not attend the event because of his uncle's death.
The suspension drive has triggered resentment among several party workers, some of whom have questioned the organisation's approach towards long-serving members. According to suspension letters, at least 185 members have been suspended so far and asked to explain their absence. The number could reportedly rise to 500 as the disciplinary review continues.
Rajoria said he had informed the leadership in advance about his inability to travel to Delhi for the rally led by Congress MP Rahul Gandhi. He also showed a remembrance invitation card for his late uncle's 13th-day ceremony, known as the 'tervi'.
Expressing disappointment over the action, Rajoria questioned why his 15 years of service to the organisation had been overlooked because of a single missed event. He claimed that he had faced 15 FIRs and been jailed three or four times while participating in party protests.
The highest number of suspensions has been reported from Madhya Pradesh, where 60 members have faced action. Gujarat follows with 49 suspensions, while West Bengal accounts for 26. The organisation has also suspended 14 members in Telangana, 13 in central Uttar Pradesh, 13 in Himachal Pradesh and 10 in Haryana.
Ahead of the November 1 rally, the Youth Congress had instructed its national, state and district-level office-bearers to attend both the march and the main event without exception. The organisation also introduced a digital attendance system through barcode scanners and its official mobile application, 'With IYC'.
Although the Youth Congress claimed that around 15,000 workers gathered at Minto Road before marching towards Ramlila Maidan, internal records showed that only 2,831 people registered through the application. Poor internet connectivity, limited technical awareness and a lack of interest reportedly affected the digital attendance process.
Youth Congress president Uday Bhanu Chib defended the disciplinary action, saying that office-bearers who failed to follow organisational instructions had to be held accountable. He maintained that the rally was successful and said the organisation wanted to strengthen its structure ahead of future political challenges.
Meanwhile, the BJP questioned the Congress's claims about the rally's attendance. BJP MP Sambit Patra alleged that a significant portion of Ramlila Maidan remained vacant despite claims of a massive gathering.
The rally was attended by several INDIA bloc leaders, including Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Mamata Banerjee, Akhilesh Yadav, Tejashwi Yadav and Farooq Abdullah. Rahul Gandhi used the platform to raise allegations of manipulation involving electronic voting machines and electoral rolls.
The suspension controversy has now raised questions about internal discipline, accountability and the treatment of grassroots workers within the Youth Congress.
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