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 staging a protest march from Parliament to the Election Commission against the alleged voter theft in Bihar. The protest was held to voice their opposition against the Systematic Voters’ Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) exercise, also known as the Systematic Identification of Registered Electors (SIR) exercise, which they claim is being used to manipulate the electoral rolls and disenfranchise voters.
The protest saw a large number of opposition leaders and party workers gathering outside Parliament, holding placards and banners with slogans like “Stop Voter Theft” and “Save Democracy”. The protesters were demanding that the Election Commission of India (ECI) take immediate action to stop the alleged voter theft and ensure the integrity of the electoral process.
As the protesters began their march to the Election Commission, the Delhi Police deployed a large contingent of personnel to prevent them from reaching their destination. The police had set up barricades and deployed water cannons to disperse the crowd, but the protesters refused to back down.
Among those who were detained by the police were Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi, who were taken away by the police after they tried to break through the barricades. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut was also detained, along with other opposition leaders and party workers.
However, not everyone was willing to give up easily. Samajwadi Party (SP) leader Akhilesh Yadav, who was also part of the protest, jumped over a barricade to join the protesters who were still trying to make their way to the Election Commission.
“We will not be silenced,” Akhilesh Yadav said in a statement. “We will continue to fight for the rights of the people and ensure that the electoral process is fair and transparent.”
The protest was sparked by allegations of voter theft and manipulation of electoral rolls in Bihar, where the Election Commission of India (ECI) is conducting a door-to-door verification exercise to update the electoral rolls. The opposition parties have accused the ECI of using the exercise as a ploy to disenfranchise voters and manipulate the electoral process to favor the ruling party.
The opposition parties have also accused the ECI of not taking adequate measures to prevent voter theft and ensure the integrity of the electoral process. They have demanded that the ECI conduct a thorough investigation into the allegations of voter theft and take immediate action to stop the alleged manipulation of electoral rolls.
The protest is the latest in a series of demonstrations and protests held by opposition parties against the ECI’s decision to conduct the SIR exercise in Bihar. The opposition parties have also sought to mobilize public support for their cause, with many leaders and party workers taking to social media to express their outrage and solidarity with the protesters.
In a statement, the Congress party said that the protest was a “fight for democracy” and that the opposition parties would not back down until the ECI takes concrete action to address their concerns.
“The Congress party will continue to stand with the people and fight for their rights,” said a Congress spokesperson. “We will not be silenced by the police or the government. We will continue to protest until the ECI takes action to stop the alleged voter theft and ensure the integrity of the electoral process.”
The protest has also received support from many civil society groups and activists, who have expressed their solidarity with the opposition parties and demanded that the ECI takes immediate action to address their concerns.
As the protest continues, the opposition parties remain committed to their cause and are determined to fight for the rights of the people and ensure that the electoral process is fair and transparent.
In conclusion, the protest by opposition MPs, including Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi, as well as Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut, against the SIR exercise in Bihar is a significant development in the political landscape of India. The opposition parties are determined to fight for the rights of the people and ensure that the electoral process is fair and transparent. The protest is a testament to their commitment to democracy and their refusal to be silenced by the police or the government.
