INDIA bloc leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, were detained while heading to Jantar Mantar to protest against CEC Gyanesh Kumar, amid opposition demands for answers from the Election Commission and allegations of police action against protesters.
INDIA bloc leaders, including Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, were detained by police on Wednesday while they were heading towards Jantar Mantar to stage an agitation for the second consecutive day. The opposition leaders were demanding the dismissal of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar and seeking answers from the Election Commission.
The detention came amid a large gathering of opposition leaders, Congress workers and supporters who were attempting to proceed towards Jantar Mantar for the protest. Police personnel were seen pushing Rahul Gandhi and several other leaders and workers into waiting buses as security forces moved to control the gathering.
Before the detention, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra was seen lying down on the road amid protesters and security personnel. She reportedly refused to move from the spot, insisting that opposition leaders should be permitted to meet the Election Commission.
Speaking to reporters, Priyanka Gandhi criticised the police action and questioned the treatment of Members of Parliament who were seeking a meeting with the Election Commissioner. She alleged that security personnel had used force against the protesting MPs.
Priyanka Gandhi said the police had scratched her and thrown protesters to the ground. She maintained that the opposition leaders would not leave the location unless the security forces withdrew and their demand to meet the Election Commission was addressed.
The protest followed a similar demonstration by opposition leaders on Tuesday, when Rahul Gandhi staged a sit-in at Akashvani Bhavan that continued for more than nine hours. An FIR was subsequently lodged against him in connection with the protest.
Congress MP Imran Masood also alleged that security personnel resorted to a lathi charge during Wednesday’s protest. He said there was pushing and shoving involving Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi when Rahul Gandhi got off a bus.
Masood criticised the police action against Congress workers and said the opposition would not accept what he described as the use of force against protesters. He alleged that the authorities were behaving in an aggressive manner while dealing with the INDIA bloc demonstration.
Congress MP Renuka Chowdhury also expressed her support for the protest, saying that the opposition’s voice would remain strong until its questions were answered.
Congress leader Sachin Pilot criticised the police response and questioned the action taken against opposition leaders. Referring to the detention of Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi, Pilot questioned whether staging a sit-in, holding a march or entering public spaces to raise political concerns could be treated as an illegal activity.
Pilot also referred to the FIR filed against Rahul Gandhi following Tuesday’s protest at Akashvani Bhavan. He criticised the decision to take legal action against the opposition leader and said the manner in which leaders and workers were taken to police stations raised concerns.
Meanwhile, Rahul Gandhi made a remark about the FIR before heading towards Jantar Mantar. Referring to the cases already registered against him, he said he had around 45 cases and jokingly remarked that his goal was to reach 100 FIRs.
The INDIA bloc’s protest has intensified demands for the Election Commission to respond to opposition concerns. The opposition leaders have been seeking a meeting with the Election Commission and have raised questions over electoral issues while demanding accountability from the poll panel.
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Wednesday’s detention marks another escalation in the ongoing confrontation between the opposition and authorities. With Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and other opposition leaders being detained while attempting to reach Jantar Mantar, the protest has emerged as a major political flashpoint in the national capital.
The INDIA bloc leaders have maintained that they will continue raising their concerns until they receive answers from the Election Commission, while the police action and allegations of force against protesters are expected to remain central to the political debate.
