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Raut Accuses Authorities of Detaining Opposition MPs at Gunpoint
Sanjay Raut says police and other security personnel stopped Opposition lawmakers from reaching the Election Commission.
He alleges that 275 lawmakers were detained at gunpoint and that women lawmakers were mistreated.
The lawmakers were marching in New Delhi on Tuesday.
They were protesting what they called vote theft and problems with changes to voter lists.
Raut wants Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar removed.
He said the protests will continue.
Raut also criticized former election chief Rajiv Kumar over decisions about party names and symbols after two parties split.
The article does not include a response from the authorities to Raut’s allegations.
Sanjay Raut alleged that police and security personnel stopped 275 unarmed Opposition MPs from reaching the Election Commission in New Delhi on Tuesday.
Raut claimed the MPs were detained at gunpoint and women lawmakers were mistreated; the article provides no response from the authorities.
The INDIA bloc march protested alleged vote theft and discrepancies involving the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.
Raut demanded Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s removal and said the Opposition’s agitation would continue.
He also accused former Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar of unfairly awarding party names and symbols to breakaway Shiv Sena and NCP factions.
- Who
- Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut and INDIA bloc Opposition lawmakers.
- What
- Raut alleged security forces stopped and detained Opposition MPs, and demanded Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s removal.
- Where
- New Delhi, on the way to the Election Commission of India.
- When
- The march took place Tuesday; Raut made the allegations on Wednesday.
- Why
- The INDIA bloc was protesting alleged vote theft and discrepancies linked to the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.
Raut’s allegations
Official response
Treatment of Opposition MPs
Raut’s allegations
Raut alleged that security personnel stopped and detained 275 unarmed Opposition MPs at gunpoint and mistreated women lawmakers.
Official response
The article does not report a response from the police, security forces, or government.
Election Commission decisions
Raut’s allegations
Raut accused current and former chief election commissioners of acting as BJP agents and alleged that party names and symbols were unfairly awarded after splits.
Official response
The article reports no response from the Election Commission or the officials named.
Key facts
- MPs cited by Raut
- 275 unarmed Opposition MPs
- Security forces named
- Delhi Police and Central Reserve Police Force
- March destination
- Election Commission of India office
- Protest issues
- Alleged vote theft and electoral-roll discrepancies linked to the Special Intensive Revision
- Raut’s demand
- Removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar
- Shiv Sena split
- The split occurred in June 2022; the Election Commission allotted the party name and symbol to the Eknath Shinde faction in February 2023.
- NCP split
- After the party split in 2023, the Election Commission recognized the Ajit Pawar-led faction as the real NCP and allotted it the party name and clock symbol in 2024.
Quotes
Sanjay Raut
Shiv Sena (UBT) Rajya Sabha MP
“Thousands of jawans were deployed to stop Opposition MPs from meeting Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar on Tuesday. Personnel from the Delhi Police, Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) were deployed to stop 275 unarmed Opposition MPs “as if they are terrorists.” They were forced at gunpoint and detained. Women MPs were mistreated.”
deccanchronicle.com
“Both Gyanesh Kumar and Rajiv Kumar have acted as agents of the BJP. Rajiv Kumar played a role in handing over our party to ‘thieves.’ Both Gyanesh Kumar and Rajiv Kumar are guilty of wrongdoing against the country.”
deccanchronicle.com
Sources
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