
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 MPs were protesting against the alleged voter theft in the ongoing Surajkund Integrated River Valley (SIR) project in Bihar.
As the MPs, along with other opposition leaders, approached the Election Commission, they were met with a strong police presence. The authorities had set up barricades to prevent the protesters from reaching the EC, which only fueled their determination. Undeterred, the MPs and their supporters continued to press on, chanting slogans and holding placards that read “Save Democracy” and “Stop Voter Theft”.
However, as they approached the barricades, Delhi Police intervened, detaining the MPs and preventing them from proceeding further. Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, and Sanjay Raut were among the many MPs who were taken away by the police. The detention sparked a heated exchange between the protesters and the police, with many of the opposition leaders accusing the government of trying to suppress their voices.
In a surprising turn of events, Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav jumped over the barricade, defying the police and joining the detained MPs. “I will not be intimidated by the police. We will continue to fight for democracy and the rights of the people,” he said, as he was escorted away by the authorities.
The protest was sparked by allegations of large-scale voter suppression and manipulation in the SIR project, which is aimed at developing the Ganga-Kosi barrage in Bihar. The opposition parties have accused the government of trying to rig the polls and disenfranchise voters, and have demanded a thorough investigation into the matter.
The detention of the MPs has sparked widespread condemnation, with many opposition leaders accusing the government of trying to silence their voices. “This is an attack on democracy and the rights of the people. We will not be deterred and will continue to fight for the truth,” said Congress leader Kapil Sibal.
The incident has also sparked concerns about the erosion of democratic values and the growing intolerance of dissenting voices. “The government’s actions are a clear indication of its inability to handle criticism and dissent. It is a shameful day for democracy in India,” said Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut.
The SIR project, which is a massive infrastructure project aimed at developing the Ganga-Kosi barrage, has been mired in controversy since its inception. The project, which was launched in 2020, has faced numerous delays and has been criticized for its environmental impact.
The alleged voter suppression and manipulation has only added to the controversy surrounding the project. The opposition parties have accused the government of trying to rig the polls and disenfranchise voters, and have demanded a thorough investigation into the matter.
The detention of the MPs and the protest march against the SIR project have once again highlighted the deep divisions within the Indian political system. The incident has also sparked concerns about the growing authoritarian tendencies of the government and its willingness to suppress dissenting voices.
As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the government will respond to the allegations of voter suppression and manipulation. Will it take steps to address the concerns of the opposition parties, or will it continue to try to silence their voices?