Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, along with several senior opposition members of parliament, were detained by Delhi Police on Monday morning during a protest march towards the Election Commission’s office in the national capital.
The protest was organized by the INDIA bloc, a coalition of opposition parties, which alleged that the Election Commission was showing bias towards the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ahead of the upcoming elections.
The opposition leaders planned to submit a formal complaint to the Election Commission, questioning its impartiality and raising concerns over the fairness and transparency of the electoral process.
The protest escalated when more than 200 MPs attempted to approach the Commission’s office, despite police allowing only 30 MPs to enter. To prevent any breach of law and order, Delhi Police intervened and detained several leaders who tried to cross barricades, including Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.
Deputy Commissioner of Police Devesh Kumar Mahla said the police action was necessary to maintain order and stop protesters from jumping barricades, which led to the detentions.
Visuals from outside the Parliament building showed a large gathering of opposition leaders and supporters waving placards and chanting slogans while clashing with police barricades. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav was also seen attempting to scale two barricades before being detained by the police.
While being escorted to the police bus, 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. We want a clean and accurate voter list.” Priyanka Gandhi Vadra accused the government of being afraid of dissent and suppressing opposition voices, saying, “They are afraid. The government is cowardly.”
The detained leaders were taken to a nearby police station, but the opposition parties have vowed to continue their campaign demanding electoral transparency and accountability.
They assert that ensuring free and fair elections is crucial for the future of Indian democracy and have called for the Election Commission to act impartially without political influence. This protest marks another chapter in the ongoing political tussle between the ruling party and the opposition as the country gears up for the upcoming elections.
