Delhi Police detained top opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, as they marched to the Election Commission of India headquarters to protest alleged electoral malpractices. The move has been met with sharp criticism from the opposition, which claims it is an attempt to silence dissent.
NEW DELHI – In a day of high political drama, a protest march by the INDIA bloc, led by Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi, was brought to a halt by the Delhi Police, leading to the detention of several prominent opposition leaders. The march, which was heading towards the Election Commission of India (ECI) headquarters, was organized to protest alleged “vote theft” in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections and the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar.
The protest began at the Makar Dwar of Parliament, with hundreds of MPs from over 25 opposition parties participating. Chanting slogans and carrying banners that read “SIR + Vote Theft = Murder of Democracy,” the leaders aimed to present their grievances directly to the ECI. However, their progress was stopped by a large contingent of Delhi Police who had erected multiple barricades at Transport Bhawan, citing a lack of permission for the march.
The situation escalated as some leaders, including Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, attempted to climb over the barricades. Following a tense standoff, police detained dozens of MPs, including Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Sharad Pawar, and Sanjay Raut. The detained leaders were then taken to the Parliament Street Police Station. During the chaotic scene, Trinamool Congress MPs Mahua Moitra and Mitali Baugh reportedly fainted and were attended to by fellow politicians.
The opposition has accused the government of using police force to suppress dissent and stifle their right to protest. Rahul Gandhi, speaking during the protest, stated that the fight was not just political but a battle to “save the Constitution” and ensure a clean and pure voter list. The Election Commission, meanwhile, has hit back at the allegations, repeatedly asking Gandhi to provide a formal, signed declaration with evidence to support his claims, which they have termed “absurd.” The ECI has stated that if he fails to do so, he should apologize to the nation.
This confrontation comes after days of heated exchanges between the INDIA bloc and the ECI, with the opposition repeatedly alleging electoral malpractices and the poll body defending its processes. The incident has intensified the political discourse and is expected to further disrupt the ongoing monsoon session of Parliament.
