In a high‑profile protest on Parliament Street, Rahul Gandhi took the centre stage of an opposition march on Tuesday, forcing a full lockdown of the area. The Leader of the Opposition led an eight‑hour sit‑in that culminated in his forcible detention after police blocked the route to the Election Commission’s office.
The day began with a demonstration against alleged “vote‑chori” at the Parliament House around 10 a.m., during which police erected heavy barricades. While most opposition MPs were detained and prevented from advancing, Gandhi and fellow Congress MPs, including Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, entered the Akashvani Bhawan premises only 200 metres from the EC office, demanding a meeting with the election commissioners. Their sit‑in, which started around noon, ended at 8 p.m. when police removed Gandhi and others from the site, placing them into vans and buses after a brief resistance. Police reported that nearly 250 people were detained, and scenes of scuffling were captured as officers physically restrained protesters.
The Congress party condemned the action, describing it as a “sign of a regime that knows its exit is imminent” and alleged that the Prime Minister and Home Minister displayed nervous behaviour. Party chief Mallikarjun Kharge echoed concerns about the government’s influence over the Election Commission.
The protest is part of a broader campaign demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, following a September report that raised questions about irregularities in the SIR process and alleged government pressure on the commission.
