Rahul Gandhi Slams EC as Police Detain Protesting Congress Cadres
Rahul Gandhi and INDIA bloc MPs face police detentions during a march to the Election Commission demanding the CEC's resignation.
Tensions erupted in the national capital on Tuesday as a massive protest march by the INDIA bloc turned into a series of confrontations with security forces. The Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, lashed out at the Election Commission (EC) for refusing to meet with opposition representatives, even as police moved in to detain Congress workers and other alliance members.
Chaos Outside Nirvachan Sadan
The confrontation reached a breaking point outside the Election Commission of India's headquarters, Nirvachan Sadan. Supporters of the INDIA bloc attempted to force their way through the gates, leading to intense scuffles with security personnel. While the marchers sought to submit a formal memorandum, heavy police deployment prevented the opposition leadership from reaching their destination.
The situation escalated when police invoked prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). Security forces ordered Indian Youth Congress and NSUI workers gathered near Akashvani Bhavan to vacate the area, declaring any assembly there illegal. Those who resisted were subsequently detained and transported away in buses.
"Why Aren't They Meeting Us?"
Speaking on the standoff, Rahul Gandhi questioned the silence of the poll body. Addressing the media, he highlighted the scale of the representation attempting to reach the commission.
"More than 300 Opposition MPs marched from Parliament to the Election Commission today to meet the Election Commissioners. We represent crores of Indians. Why aren't the Election Commissioners meeting us? Why is the police stopping and threatening us?"
The protest was centered around a singular, high-stakes demand: the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar.
A Siege of Democracy?
The opposition leadership, including Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, staged a sit-in demonstration inside the Akashvani complex, located just 100 metres from the EC headquarters. Congress leader Pawan Khera accused the central government of being "gripped by fear," noting the irony of the physical proximity between the protesters and the officials they sought to address.
"The Election Commission is right next door, but they are not allowing the country's Leader of the Opposition to go; he has been stopped," Khera remarked, adding that the ruthless blocking of parliamentarians was a sign of the deteriorating state of democracy in the capital.
Widespread Detentions Across Alliances
The crackdown was not limited to the Congress party. Several leaders from other alliance members were caught in the police action:
- CPI (M) MPs: Leaders including John Brittas and V Sivadasan were among those detained.
- BJD: Members of the Biju Janata Dal joined the march, demonstrating unity beyond the traditional limits of the INDIA alliance.
- NSUI and Youth Congress: Workers were cleared from the streets under police orders.
CPI MP P Sandosh Kumar noted that the massive deployment of the CRPF and RAF made it nearly impossible to move forward, stating that while detention is a tactic used against them, the movement would only intensify until their demands are met.