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 they were protesting against the State Information Relay (SIR) exercise in Bihar. The protest march, which began from Parliament and was headed towards the Election Commission, was aimed at highlighting the alleged voter theft in the state.
The opposition leaders had been vociferous in their criticism of the SIR exercise, which they claimed was a ploy to disenfranchise voters and rig the upcoming elections in Bihar. The protest was a show of strength and solidarity among the opposition parties, who are determined to take on the ruling party and its allies in the state.
As the MPs began their march from Parliament, they were met with a strong contingent of police personnel, who had been deployed to maintain law and order. Despite the heavy police presence, the MPs refused to back down and continued their protest march.
However, as they approached the Election Commission, the police decided to intervene and detained the MPs. Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, and Sanjay Raut were among those who were taken into custody. The police used force to push back the protesters, who were determined to reach the Election Commission.
In a bold move, Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav jumped over a barricade to join the protest march. He was seen rallying the protesters and urging them to continue their fight against the SIR exercise.
The detention of the MPs sparked widespread outrage, with many calling it an attack on democracy and the freedom of speech. The opposition parties have accused the ruling party of using the police to silence them and intimidate their leadership.
“This is a clear case of political vendetta and an attempt to stifle the voice of the opposition,” said Rahul Gandhi in a statement. “We will continue to fight against the SIR exercise and ensure that the people of Bihar are not cheated out of their right to vote.”
The police, on the other hand, claimed that the protest march was unlawful and that the MPs had been warned to disperse. “We had given them the necessary permission to hold a peaceful protest, but they chose to defy the law and continue their march,” said a police spokesperson.
The SIR exercise, which was introduced by the Election Commission, aims to improve the accuracy and efficiency of the electoral rolls. However, the opposition parties have accused it of being a ploy to disenfranchise voters and rig the elections.
The protest march and the subsequent detention of the MPs have raised concerns about the state of democracy in India. The opposition parties are determined to take on the ruling party and its allies, and the protest march was seen as a show of strength and solidarity among the opposition.
As the political crisis deepens, it remains to be seen whether the opposition parties will be able to sustain their protest and ensure that their voices are heard. One thing is certain, however – the people of India will be watching closely to see how this drama unfolds.
