1 hr ago
Gandhi Siblings Enter Akashvani During Opposition Protest
Opposition leaders in India tried to march to the Election Commission.
Police stopped them with barricades and began detaining some of them.
Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra then walked into a nearby radio building called Akashvani Bhavan.
Their unexpected move surprised both police and other protesters.
Congress leaders said they hoped to use the building as a way toward the Election Commission, but the gate was closed.
The siblings and other leaders stayed inside the premises.
They said they would keep protesting until they could meet election officials.
The Home Ministry rejected as fake a claim that Priyanka was negotiating with senior government officials.
INDIA bloc leaders marched toward the Election Commission of India but were stopped by police barricades near its office.
Police began detaining Opposition MPs as the protest unfolded near Sansad Marg.
Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra unexpectedly walked into Akashvani Bhavan, surprising police and fellow Opposition leaders.
Congress leaders said Rahul had improvised a route through Akashvani toward the Election Commission, but police closed the gate.
Opposition leaders continued a sit-in, demanding a meeting with the chief election commissioner and other election commissioners.
- Who
- Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and other INDIA bloc Opposition leaders.
- What
- Opposition leaders protested near the Election Commission; the Gandhi siblings entered Akashvani Bhavan as police detained demonstrators.
- Where
- Near the Election Commission headquarters in New Delhi, including Akashvani Bhavan on Sansad Marg.
- When
- The article describes events beginning around noon, with police moving to detain the Gandhi siblings around 8 pm; no date is given.
- Why
- Opposition leaders sought a meeting with Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and other election commissioners, and said they were protesting to protect democracy.
Opposition leaders
Home Ministry
Reported negotiations
Opposition leaders
Opposition sources claimed Priyanka Gandhi Vadra was negotiating with senior government officials and said the protest would continue until leaders were allowed to meet election commissioners.
Home Ministry
The Home Ministry dismissed the claim that Priyanka Gandhi Vadra was negotiating with senior government officials as “fake.”
Purpose of the protest
Opposition leaders
Rahul Gandhi said he was there to protect democracy, and Congress leaders said the protest would continue until their demands were met.
Home Ministry
The article reports no detailed government response to the Opposition’s broader claims or demands.
Key facts
- Protest group
- INDIA bloc Opposition leaders
- Location
- Akashvani Bhavan, near the Election Commission headquarters
- Protest demand
- A meeting with Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi
- Reported start
- Around noon
- Detention move
- Police moved to detain the Gandhi siblings and other Opposition leaders around 8 pm
- Police presence
- Delhi Police and Rapid Action Force personnel were stationed outside Akashvani Bhavan
- Disputed account
- Opposition sources said Priyanka Gandhi Vadra was negotiating with senior government officials; the Home Ministry called the claim fake
Quotes
Congress leader
An unnamed Congress leader commenting on the Gandhis’ entry into Akashvani Bhavan
“I don’t care what the BJP says. I’m standing here to protect democracy. What has been done to the country is treason. Be it PM Modi, (Amit) Shah, the RSS chief, or Gyanesh Kumar, none will be spared.”
indianexpress.com
“Unmoved. Unfazed. We will not budge until our demands are met. We will not rest until our democracy is saved from the Vote Chors.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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