Delhi Police detained several senior Indian opposition MPs, including Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, as well as Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut, following protests over the Election Commission’s alleged collusion with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
As the detained leaders were taken away by police, Rahul Gandhi addressed the media, stating, “This fight is not political… it is to save the Constitution. The fight is for ‘one person, one vote.’” He further added, “The reality is they cannot talk… the truth is in front of the country.”
Joint Commissioner of Delhi Police, Deepak Purohit, confirmed the detentions but refrained from disclosing the exact number of leaders detained. “Detained INDIA bloc leaders have been taken to a nearby police station,” Purohit told reporters.
The police official clarified that the opposition did not have the necessary permission for a protest of this magnitude. “Only a group of 30 MPs had been allowed to march to the Election Commission and submit a complaint,” Purohit stated.
The opposition leaders’ protests had escalated into the streets of central Delhi, as they expressed concerns over the alleged bias of the Election Commission towards the ruling party.
“The Election Commission said 30 MPs could visit them… but over 200 came marching. We stopped them to prevent any breakdown of law-and-order. They were then detained. Some MPs tried jumping barricades.. they were also detained,” Deputy Commissioner of Police Devesh Kumar Mahla said.
Visuals from the protest site outside the Parliament building showed a small army of politicians and party workers, many waving placards, shouting slogans, and pushing back against police barricades.
Another visual showed Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav climbing over two police barricades.