Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Detained After INDIA Bloc Sit-In Over Gyanesh Kumar Row

Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra were arrested by Delhi Police Tuesday evening after they held a sit-in in protest at the Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar during the INDIA bloc's protest.

The anti-government protesters were part of a demonstration which set out from Parliament towards Nirvachan Sadan, the Election Commission of India (ECI) headquarters. Security forces blocked the protesters in the vicinity of NITI Aayog and Akashvani Bhawan and then some Opposition MPs held a dharna.

The protestors were demanding Kumar’s resignation over allegations concerning the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and what Opposition parties described as unilateral decisions by the poll panel.

Rahul, Priyanka Detained During Evening Crackdown

The detention came several hours after the march was halted. Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi were among the leaders taken away by police as the authorities moved to clear the protest site.

Visuals showed Rahul Gandhi being escorted away by police personnel as Congress workers attempted to intervene. Priyanka Gandhi was also detained during the action. Other Opposition leaders were taken away in buses as police cleared the area. 

The Gandhi siblings had earlier been briefly detained during the day before returning to the protest site.

Opposition Leaders Stage Sit-In Near Akashvani Bhawan

The march was halted and Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and other Opposition leaders refused to disperse and instead continued their protest outside of Akashvani Bhawan.

The Gandhi siblings also went into the premises of Akashvani Bhawan, after being obstructed from going towards the Election Commission office, with the Congress leaders. They claimed they wished to go and meet with the poll panel and air their grievances face-to-face.

Earlier, Rahul Gandhi had questioned the decision to stop Opposition MPs from reaching the Election Commission.

He said that hundreds of MPs wanted to meet CEC Gyanesh Kumar and questioned the basis for preventing them from approaching the poll body.

INDIA Bloc Demands Gyanesh Kumar’s Resignation

The INDIA bloc’s protest centres on allegations of irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.

Opposition parties have questioned changes associated with Form 6, the application used for voter enrolment, and have accused the Election Commission of taking decisions without adequate consultation.

The Election Commission has rejected the Opposition’s allegations and maintained that decisions concerning the SIR process were taken according to the applicable procedure. 

The Supreme Court has also been examining issues related to Form 6 and the powers exercised by the Election Commission. The court has sought the poll panel’s response rather than relying solely on reports or allegations made in the public domain. 

Opposition MPs Carry ‘Save Democracy’ Placards

The protest began at Makar Dwar in the Parliament complex, where Opposition MPs assembled before marching towards Nirvachan Sadan.

Protesters carried placards with messages such as “Save Democracy” and “Save My Vote” and raised slogans against the CEC.

Rahul Gandhi also displayed a placard reading “Gyanesh, it’s done, bro!” and posted the same message on social media, calling for Kumar’s resignation.

Several Opposition leaders, including Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and Trinamool Congress leaders Abhishek Banerjee and Derek O’Brien, were also detained during the protest.

INDIA Bloc Plans Wider Campaign

The October 6 demonstration is part of a larger Opposition campaign against the Election Commission and the SIR exercise.

The Congress has announced further programmes under its “Save Vote, Save Country” campaign, including public meetings, rallies and marches in the coming weeks.

The party is also planning a major rally at Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan on November 1, followed later in November by marches converging on the national capital.

The Opposition has indicated that it intends to continue raising the electoral-roll issue during the upcoming Parliament session, while the legal challenge concerning the Election Commission remains before the Supreme Court.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Susmita Modak

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Always love to raise the unraised matter. In a world of worries, I am always ready to come over my comfort zone and taking the step ahead of spreading awareness.

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