Members of India's largest opposition Congress Party have rallied to protest the disqualification of one of their leaders from parliament.

The lawmakers took to the streets of the capital New Delhi on Monday. They were joined by the leaders of other opposition parties.

Rahul Gandhi was stripped of his status as a parliament member on Friday, one day after a state court sentenced him to two years in prison.

He was convicted of defamation for comments he made in a 2019 election rally in which he said the surname Modi, the name of the current prime minister, was common for thieves. Gandhi says he will appeal the verdict.

It is not yet clear whether Gandhi will be able to run in next year's general election.

He comes from a prominent family that has produced several prime ministers. He has been seen as a hopeful to follow them one day.