Rahul & other MPs detained during protest march to EC; Akhilesh jumps barricade
In a dramatic turn of events, Opposition MPs, including Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi, as well as Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut, were detained by Delhi Police on Monday while staging a protest march from Parliament to the Election Commission. The protest was against the alleged voter theft in the State Intervention Reports (SIR) exercise in Bihar. The situation took a further turn when Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav jumped over a barricade, further escalating the tension.
The protest was a show of solidarity by the Opposition parties against the alleged tampering with the electoral rolls in Bihar. The SIR exercise, which aims to update the electoral rolls, has been under scrutiny due to allegations of manipulation and voter suppression. The Opposition parties have been demanding a rollback of the exercise, claiming that it is a ploy by the ruling party to rig the upcoming elections.
The protest began early in the morning, with the MPs gathering at Parliament and starting their march to the Election Commission. However, the Delhi Police had set up barricades along the route, and the MPs were not allowed to proceed further. In a bold move, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi, along with Sanjay Raut and Akhilesh Yadav, attempted to break through the barricades, but were eventually detained by the police.
The footage of the protest shows the MPs trying to push past the police personnel, but being restrained and eventually taken away. The police used mild force to disperse the crowd, and several MPs were detained, including Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi. Akhilesh Yadav, who was seen jumping over a barricade, was also detained.
The Opposition parties have been critical of the SIR exercise, claiming that it is a ploy by the ruling party to manipulate the electoral rolls and gain an unfair advantage in the upcoming elections. The exercise has been marred by allegations of discrepancies and irregularities, and the Opposition parties have demanded an investigation into the matter.
The protest was also attended by several other Opposition leaders, including Nationalist Congress Party leader Supriya Sule and Rashtriya Janata Dal leader RJD’s Manoj Jha. The protest was peaceful, with the MPs and the police engaging in a heated argument over the issue.
The detention of the MPs has sparked widespread outrage, with many political leaders and activists condemning the action. The Opposition parties have demanded the immediate release of the detained MPs and an investigation into the SIR exercise.
The incident has also raised questions about the freedom of speech and expression of MPs, who are supposed to be the representatives of the people. The detention of the MPs has been criticized as an attempt to suppress their voices and silence them on the issue.
In a statement, the Congress party condemned the detention of Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi, calling it an “attack on democracy”. The party demanded the immediate release of the detained MPs and an investigation into the SIR exercise.
The Samajwadi Party also condemned the detention of Akhilesh Yadav, calling it a “dictatorial” action by the Delhi Police. The party demanded the release of Akhilesh Yadav and an investigation into the SIR exercise.
The Shiv Sena (UBT) also condemned the detention of Sanjay Raut, calling it an “attack on the democratic rights of the people”. The party demanded the release of Sanjay Raut and an investigation into the SIR exercise.
The detention of the MPs has also sparked concerns about the upcoming elections in Bihar, with many political observers predicting that the exercise could lead to widespread discontent and unrest among the electorate.
As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the Election Commission will respond to the allegations of voter theft and manipulation. The Opposition parties have demanded an investigation into the matter, and the Election Commission has promised to look into the allegations.
In conclusion, the detention of Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, Sanjay Raut, and Akhilesh Yadav during the protest march to the Election Commission is a stark reminder of the importance of upholding democratic values and the freedom of speech and expression. The incident has sparked widespread outrage and concerns about the upcoming elections in Bihar. As the situation continues to unfold, it is essential that the Election Commission takes swift action to address the allegations of voter theft and manipulation, and ensures that the electoral process is fair and transparent.
