Rahul & other MPs detained during protest march to EC; Akhilesh jumps barricade
A dramatic scene unfolded in the national capital on Monday as opposition MPs, including Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi, and Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut, were detained by Delhi Police during a protest march to the Election Commission. The march was staged against the alleged voter theft in Bihar, which is currently undergoing the Special Summary Revision (SSR) exercise.
The protest march began from Parliament and was headed towards the Election Commission, with the opposition leaders demanding an end to the SSR exercise, which they claim is aimed at disenfranchising voters. However, their plans were foiled when the Delhi Police deployed a strong contingent of personnel to block their path.
As the protesters approached the barricades, they were met with resistance from the police, who refused to let them proceed. Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, and Sanjay Raut were among the first to be detained, with the police using force to restrain them. The situation quickly escalated, with the protesters refusing to back down and the police using water cannons and tear gas to disperse the crowd.
In a dramatic moment, Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav jumped over a barricade, attempting to reach the Election Commission building. However, he was quickly apprehended by the police and detained along with the other leaders.
The detainees were taken away in police vans, with the opposition leaders claiming that they were being subjected to “brute force” by the authorities. The police, on the other hand, maintained that they were acting to maintain law and order and prevent any untoward incident.
The protest march was called off due to the detention of the leaders, but the opposition parties have vowed to continue their agitation against the SSR exercise. They claim that the exercise is aimed at disenfranchising voters, particularly in rural areas, and that it is a ploy to rig the upcoming elections.
The opposition parties have also accused the Election Commission of being complicit in the exercise, and have demanded that it be halted immediately. They have also demanded that the Commission take action against those responsible for the alleged voter theft.
The incident has sparked a heated debate in the political circles, with the opposition parties accusing the ruling party of using the Election Commission to rig the elections. The ruling party, on the other hand, has denied any wrongdoing and has accused the opposition of trying to create chaos and confusion.
The SSR exercise is a periodic exercise conducted by the Election Commission to update the electoral rolls and remove duplicate or fake voters. However, the opposition parties claim that the exercise is aimed at disenfranchising voters, particularly in rural areas, and that it is a ploy to rig the upcoming elections.
The opposition parties have been protesting against the exercise for several days, with Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi leading the charge. The situation has been escalating, with the opposition parties accusing the ruling party of using brute force to silence them.
The detention of the opposition leaders has sparked widespread condemnation, with many calling it an attempt to muzzle the voice of the opposition. The incident has also raised questions about the role of the Election Commission in the exercise, and whether it is truly impartial.
As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the opposition parties will push forward their demands and whether the Election Commission will take action to address their concerns. One thing is certain, however – the incident has brought the spotlight on the alleged voter theft in Bihar and the role of the Election Commission in the exercise.
