Rahul & other MPs detained during protest march to EC; Akhilesh jumps barricade
On Monday, a protest march staged by Opposition MPs, including Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi, as well as Shiv Sena (UBT)’s Sanjay Raut, against the SIR exercise in Bihar took a dramatic turn when they were detained by Delhi Police. The protest march, which aimed to reach the Election Commission to raise their concerns over alleged voter theft, was met with a strong response from the police, who refused to let them proceed.
The protest was a culmination of the Opposition’s growing discontent over the alleged irregularities in the voters’ list exercise, which they claim is a ploy to manipulate the outcome of the upcoming elections in Bihar. The SIR (Special Summary Revision) exercise is a crucial process that updates the electoral rolls, and any irregularities can have far-reaching consequences.
As the MPs, led by Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi, began their march from Parliament to the Election Commission, they were met with a heavy deployment of police personnel. The police had erected barricades to prevent the protesters from reaching their destination, and when the MPs tried to break through the barricades, they were detained.
However, not everyone was willing to give up easily. SP leader Akhilesh Yadav, who was also part of the protest, jumped over a barricade to try and reach the Election Commission building. His bold move was met with applause from the protesters, who were eager to reach their destination and register their protest.
The detention of the MPs and the subsequent protests have sparked a heated debate over the role of the police and the Election Commission. The Opposition has accused the police of being partisan and trying to silence their voices, while the government has defended the police action, saying that it was necessary to maintain law and order.
The protest has also raised questions over the transparency of the SIR exercise and the alleged irregularities in the voters’ list. The Opposition has demanded that the Election Commission take immediate action to address their concerns and ensure that the upcoming elections are free and fair.
Rahul Gandhi, who was one of the first to be detained, tweeted about the incident, saying, “Detained by the police, but our voice will not be silenced. We will continue to fight for democracy and the rights of the people. The people of Bihar deserve a fair and honest election, and we will not let the SIR exercise rob them of their right to vote.”
Priyanka Gandhi, who was also detained, echoed similar sentiments, saying, “We will not be intimidated by the police or any other authority. We will continue to protest and demand that the Election Commission take immediate action to address our concerns. The people of Bihar deserve better than to be treated like this.”
The protest has also sparked a debate over the role of the Election Commission in ensuring the integrity of the electoral process. Many have questioned why the Commission has been silent on the allegations of irregularities in the SIR exercise, and why it has not taken any action to address the concerns of the Opposition.
In the midst of the controversy, the Election Commission has issued a statement saying that it is taking all necessary steps to ensure the integrity of the electoral process. However, many have questioned whether the Commission has the necessary independence and autonomy to take effective action against those found guilty of irregularities.
As the controversy continues to unfold, one thing is clear: the Opposition is not going to let up on its protests until their demands are met. And with Akhilesh Yadav’s bold move to jump over a barricade, it seems that the protests will only continue to escalate.
