1 hr ago
Rahul Gandhi Released After Detention as Anti-CEC Protests Continue
Rahul Gandhi and other opposition lawmakers wanted to protest about how voter lists are being changed.
They say the changes could be unfair and want election chief Gyanesh Kumar to resign.
Police stopped their buses as they travelled toward Jantar Mantar and detained some of the leaders.
Gandhi was released after about two hours on Wednesday evening.
The Election Commission says it has not done anything wrong and that updating voter lists is part of its job.
Police say protests need permission and that some areas have rules limiting gatherings.
The opposition says people have a right to protest peacefully.
Similar protests and detentions had happened the day before, so the disagreement is still continuing.
Delhi Police released Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday evening after detaining him for about two hours with Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and other INDIA bloc MPs.
Police stopped the MPs as they travelled toward Jantar Mantar, where they intended to hold a sit-in demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation.
The Opposition alleges electoral-roll revisions under the Special Intensive Revision enable “vote chori”; the Election Commission denies wrongdoing and says the revisions fall within its constitutional mandate.
The protest followed a separate confrontation and detentions on Tuesday, when leaders attempted to march from Parliament toward the Election Commission and staged a sit-in at Akashvani Bhavan.
Delhi Police cited permission requirements and law-and-order restrictions on demonstrations, while the Opposition said peaceful protest is a constitutional right.
- Who
- Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and other INDIA bloc MPs; Delhi Police; the Election Commission and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
- What
- Police detained opposition lawmakers during a protest over electoral-roll revisions and their demand for Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation; Rahul Gandhi was released after about two hours.
- Where
- Central Delhi, near the Shangri-La hotel and on the way to Jantar Mantar; Gandhi was released from Barakhamba Road police station.
- When
- Wednesday, after a separate protest and detentions on Tuesday.
- Why
- The INDIA bloc is protesting what it alleges are irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls and is demanding Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation.
Opposition
Election Commission and authorities
Electoral-roll revisions
Opposition
The INDIA bloc alleges that the SIR process involves irregularities and amounts to “vote chori,” and is demanding Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation.
Election Commission and authorities
The Election Commission rejects allegations of wrongdoing and says revising electoral rolls is part of its constitutional mandate.
Demonstrations and access
Opposition
The Opposition says peaceful protest is a constitutional right and has sought answers from the poll panel.
Election Commission and authorities
Delhi Police says demonstrations at Jantar Mantar require prior permission and cites law-and-order rules and restrictions on assemblies in parts of central Delhi.
Key facts
- Detention duration
- Rahul Gandhi was held for around two hours.
- Release
- Gandhi was released Wednesday evening from Barakhamba Road police station.
- Protest destination
- The MPs were travelling toward Jantar Mantar for a sit-in.
- Opposition demand
- The INDIA bloc is demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation.
- Disputed process
- The allegations concern the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
- Election Commission position
- The Commission rejected allegations of wrongdoing and said electoral-roll revision is part of its constitutional mandate.
- Police position
- Delhi Police said protests at Jantar Mantar require prior permission and cited law-and-order restrictions in parts of central Delhi.
Quotes
Mallikarjun Kharge
Congress president and Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha
“Until our demands are met, we will continue to stage such protests.”
thestatesman.com
“We are not going to stop protesting till Gyanesh Kumar resigns.”
thestatesman.com
Sources
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