Key Takeaways
- Rahul Gandhi and other lawmakers detained during protest.
- Protest against large-scale revision of voter lists.
- Election Commission denies allegations of wrongdoing.
Indian opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, were briefly detained by police during a protest march in New Delhi on Tuesday. The protest was organized to demand the resignation of the country’s election chief over alleged irregularities in the revision of voter lists.
Gandhi, a senior leader of the main opposition Congress Party, was seen standing on a police barricade and waving the national flag. He was detained along with other lawmakers but was released soon after the incident.
The revision of voter lists has drawn criticism, with opposition politicians accusing the election commission of acting at the behest of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ruling Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Critics also say the drive has disproportionately affected marginalised and minority communities, especially Muslims.
The Election Commission of India has rejected allegations of wrongdoing, stating that the revision process is aimed at ensuring the accuracy and integrity of electoral rolls.
On Tuesday, opposition members began a march from parliament towards the commission’s headquarters, but were stopped by a heavy police presence. Gandhi and his sister, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, later camped inside the public radio’s offices adjacent to the election commission.
Gandhi told reporters, 'The country has been hijacked by Narendra Modi through vote theft,' from behind the iron gates of the public radio building.
BJP spokespersons have accused the opposition of deliberately attacking democracy. The party has denied any wrongdoing and maintains that the revision process is necessary.
The protest highlights ongoing tensions between the ruling BJP and the opposition parties over electoral processes and their perceived impact on marginalized communities.
The country has been hijacked by Narendra Modi through vote theft.
Rahul Gandhi, Indian National Congress party leader
