Former Rajasthan deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot sat on a day-long dharna in Jaipur on Tuesday, defying a directive from the Congress that claimed his protest was “against the party’s interests and is anti-party activity.” Pilot was demanding action in corruption cases that occurred while Vasundhara Raje was the chief minister.

Around 11 a.m., Pilot arrived at Shaheed Smarak and decorated the portraits of Mahatma Gandhi and Jyotirao Phule on the dais before taking a seat on the stage to listen to patriotic songs like Ae Mere Watan Ke Logon, Dil Diya Hai Jaan Bhi Denge, Ae Watan Tere Liye, Mera Rang De Basanti Chola, and Raghupati Raghav Raja Ram.

On the anniversary of social reformer Jyotirao Phule’s birth, a dharna is being held. Pilot has previously stated, “Corruption is a problem that affects the people and is a major issue towards improving the society, therefore the inspiration to sit on a protest on his Jayanti.

Pilot attacked Ashok Gehlot, claiming that he had ignored corruption allegations under the previous Vasundhara Raje administration. Pilot will remain silent throughout his all-day protest, which will go until around 4 o’clock in the afternoon. His supporters yelled “Humara CM Kaisa Ho, Sachin Pilot Jaisa Ho” and “I love you, I love you, Sachin Pilot, I love you” while also pleading for justice in corruption charges at the protest location. 

Along with hundreds of members of the Congress, Pandit Suresh Mishra, the president and founder of the Sarv Brahmin Mahasabha, and Jyoti Khandelwal, a former mayor of Jaipur, joined Pilot on stage.