Priyanka Gandhi Holds Constitution as Police Remove Her From Protest Site
INDIA bloc MPs were stopped near Jantar Mantar during a protest over electoral-roll revision and allegations of irregularities; Delhi Police cited restrictions on demonstrations and prior permission requirements.
NEW DELHI: Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi were among several INDIA bloc MPs detained by Delhi Police on Wednesday after their buses were stopped while they were heading towards Jantar Mantar for a protest demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The protest followed a lunch meeting of opposition MPs hosted by Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge at a restaurant on Janpath. The leaders subsequently boarded buses to travel towards Jantar Mantar, the designated protest location.
The opposition has been protesting over the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls and what it describes as irregularities in the electoral process. The INDIA bloc has also demanded that the Chief Election Commissioner resign.
Also Read- Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, Among 250 Others Detained in New Delhi
According to reports, the police stopped the convoy in the Janpath area before it could reach Jantar Mantar. Delhi Police had deployed heavy security and cited restrictions on demonstrations in the area, including the requirement for prior permission.
Priyanka Gandhi Stages Sit-in
After the buses were stopped, Rahul Gandhi was taken into a police vehicle. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, along with several other women MPs and opposition leaders, sat on the road in protest.
Visuals from the scene showed Priyanka Gandhi holding a copy of the Indian Constitution as police personnel moved to remove her from the protest site. She resisted being moved and was subsequently carried away by police personnel.
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Speaking during the confrontation, Priyanka Gandhi alleged that police personnel had used force against the protesters and said that she would not move from the spot.
Her allegations regarding police treatment could not independently establish the circumstances of the alleged injuries from the available reports.
Also Read- Gyanesh Kumar Under Protest Spotlight: CJP Rally in Mumbai, Student Agitation in Delhi
Rahul Gandhi Says Protest Will Continue
Earlier, Rahul Gandhi said the opposition intended to protest at Jantar Mantar and reiterated its demand concerning Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
He also referred to an FIR registered in connection with Tuesday’s protest inside the Akashvani Bhawan premises. Gandhi said he had faced several FIRs and described them as “medals” in the context of his political protest.
Following his detention, Gandhi said the opposition would continue its agitation until Kumar resigns.
Second Consecutive Day of Detentions
Wednesday’s action came a day after Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and other opposition leaders were detained following a protest near the Election Commission headquarters.
On Tuesday, opposition leaders entered the adjoining Akashvani Bhawan complex after being stopped from proceeding towards the Election Commission. They staged a prolonged sit-in before being removed by police. Delhi Police subsequently registered an FIR alleging unauthorised entry into the premises.
The INDIA bloc has linked its demand for the CEC’s resignation to concerns surrounding the revision of electoral rolls and allegations of irregularities. The Election Commission and the BJP have rejected allegations of wrongdoing.
Police Justification
Delhi Police said the leaders were stopped because demonstrations at Jantar Mantar require prior permission. Police also cited restrictions under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).
According to police, the detentions were carried out after the MPs refused to disperse and were intended to clear the road and prevent a breach of barricades.
The leaders were subsequently released after being detained for around two hours, according to reports. The INDIA bloc has indicated that it intends to continue its street protests over the issue.
The developments mark another escalation in the confrontation between the opposition and authorities over the Election Commission, electoral-roll revision and the opposition’s demand for accountability.
