Rahul Gandhi detained as Day 2 of Opposition protest escalates in Delhi
Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra were detained by Delhi Police following a prolonged stand-off during an Opposition protest near Akashvani Bhavan in central Delhi on Wednesday.
The protesters were demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the electoral-roll revision process.
Dramatic footage recorded at the protest showed a large police deployment surrounding Congress workers and other demonstrators. Police personnel formed human chains to contain the crowd and prevent protesters from moving beyond the site.The situation changed sharply within about 45 minutes. What had begun as a relatively calm gathering developed into a confrontation as police sought to disperse the protesters and the Congress leaders refused to leave.
Police officers were heard warning that people could be injured because of the size of the gathering and asking demonstrators to vacate the area.
Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi remained at the protest site despite the police warning. Rahul Gandhi was subsequently detained as officers moved against the demonstrators. Priyanka Gandhi was also detained during the police action, according to multiple reports.
Priyanka Gandhi alleged that police personnel had pushed her to the ground and assaulted her. Television footage showed her on the ground during the commotion, but the circumstances leading to her fall could not be independently established from the visuals.
The on-ground reporter said protesters were being removed from the site in groups. At least five people were seen being taken away before the police detained the senior Congress leaders. The total number of detentions was not immediately confirmed.
The protest was part of an Opposition campaign against the Election Commission and the ongoing electoral-roll revision. Reports said Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi and other Opposition leaders were later released after an hours-long protest.