Archive · 8 Oct 2026
Opposition MPs Detained During Anti-CEC Protest in Delhi
Opposition leaders met for lunch and then set out to continue their protest in Delhi.
They wanted to meet the Election Commissioners and were also protesting over alleged problems with the SIR process.
Police stopped their buses near Jantar Mantar.
Some protesters got off the buses and sat down on the road.
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra lay on the road, while Rahul Gandhi stood near her as police tried to end the protest.
Police took several leaders away in buses, and they were released after several hours.
Opposition leaders said they planned another protest on Thursday.
INDIA bloc leaders met for lunch before continuing their protest demanding a meeting with the Election Commissioners.
The MPs travelled by bus toward Jantar Mantar, where police barricades stopped them from proceeding.
After Congress workers were pushed back and some suffered minor injuries, MPs got off the buses and began a sit-in.
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra lay on the road while Rahul Gandhi stood between her and police trying to break up the protest.
Police detained and later released the opposition leaders; the INDIA bloc was reportedly planning another protest for Thursday.
- Who
- INDIA bloc opposition MPs and Congress workers, including Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra; Delhi Police.
- What
- Opposition MPs continued a protest demanding a meeting with the Election Commissioners and calling for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to resign; police detained and later released them.
- When
- Wednesday, described as the second day of protests; the article also references October 7, 2026.
- Where
- Near Jantar Mantar in central Delhi; some detained leaders were taken to Chhatrasal Stadium in Model Town.
- Why
- The opposition was protesting alleged irregularities in the SIR process and seeking to meet the Chief Election Commissioner and the Election Commissioners.
Opposition protesters
Police response
Use of force
Opposition protesters
Opposition leaders alleged that police used force as they broke up the sit-in and detained protesters; the article reports minor injuries among workers and injuries to MP Mahua Moitra.
Police response
Police stopped the buses from entering the road to Jantar Mantar and moved to break up the protest; the article does not include a police account of the force allegations.
Purpose of the protest
Opposition protesters
The INDIA bloc said it was pressing for a meeting with the Election Commissioners and protesting alleged irregularities in the SIR process.
Police response
The article describes police barricades and efforts to prevent the buses and protesters from proceeding, but does not report the police's stated rationale.
- Protest day
- The action was described as the second day of protests.
- Starting point
- Sagar Ratna restaurant on Janpath, central Delhi.
- Intended destination
- Jantar Mantar.
- Main demand
- A meeting with Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the Election Commissioners.
- Additional demand
- Protesters called for Gyanesh Kumar to resign over alleged SIR process irregularities.
- Detention outcome
- The detained opposition leaders were released after several hours.
- Next planned action
- An INDIA bloc protest was reportedly being planned for Thursday.