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Congress Declares October 8 Black Day After MPs Detained
Congress leaders and other opposition lawmakers protested in Delhi about voter lists.
They also wanted Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to answer their concerns and resign.
On Wednesday, the lawmakers tried to move past police barricades near Jantar Mantar.
Police pushed them back and detained some of them.
Congress says police used sticks and injured its leaders, but the articles do not independently confirm that claim.
Police rules at Jantar Mantar required prior approval for protests and marches.
The day before, lawmakers had also protested near the Election Commission’s office.
Police registered a case after a complaint said some protesters entered Akashvani Bhavan without permission.
Congress called October 8 a “Black Day” and announced protests around the country.
Congress announced protests at state, district and block or mandal levels for October 8, calling it a “Black Day” for Indian democracy.
Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and other INDIA bloc MPs were detained near Jantar Mantar on Wednesday after attempting to move past police barricades.
The MPs were protesting alleged electoral-roll irregularities and seeking accountability from Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, including his resignation.
Congress alleged that police used a lathi charge and injured leaders; the articles report the allegation but do not independently verify it.
The detentions followed a Tuesday protest over the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls; police registered an FIR after a complaint alleged protesters entered Akashvani Bhavan without permission.
- Who
- Congress leaders, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and other INDIA bloc MPs; Delhi Police.
- What
- Opposition MPs were detained during a protest, and Congress announced protests for October 8.
- Where
- Near Jantar Mantar and at Akashvani Bhavan in Delhi; protests were announced at state, district and block or mandal levels.
- When
- Wednesday; the announced protests were for Thursday, October 8, 2026. A related protest took place Tuesday.
- Why
- The MPs were protesting alleged electoral-roll irregularities and seeking accountability from Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Congress and Opposition
Police restrictions and reported actions
Police action during the protest
Congress and Opposition
Congress said the MPs were marching peacefully and alleged leaders were subjected to a lathi charge and injured.
Police restrictions and reported actions
The articles report that police pushed protesters back as they tried to pass barricades and detained them. They also state that demonstrations at Jantar Mantar required prior approval; they do not provide a police response to the lathi-charge allegation.
Electoral-roll concerns
Congress and Opposition
Congress and opposition MPs cited alleged irregularities and sought accountability from the Election Commission, including Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation.
Police restrictions and reported actions
The articles report the allegations and demands but give no response from Gyanesh Kumar or the Election Commission.
Key facts
- Announced protest date
- October 8, 2026
- Congress description
- “Black Day” for Indian democracy
- Planned protest levels
- State, district and block or mandal
- Wednesday protest site
- Jantar Mantar, Delhi
- Issue raised
- Alleged electoral-roll irregularities and the Special Intensive Revision
- Restrictions reported
- Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita was imposed at Jantar Mantar; protests and marches required prior approval.
- Related police action
- Police registered an FIR after a complaint alleged protesters entered Akashvani Bhavan without permission during Tuesday’s protest.
Quotes
Congress (AICC note)
The Indian National Congress, in a note signed by General Secretary (Organisation) KC Venugopal.
“The Indian National Congress will continue this fight relentlessly until Shri Gyanesh Kumar is removed from his post and the integrity of our electoral system is fully restored.”
wionews.com
“This attack on the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and on elected representatives of the people is an attack on the Constitution itself.”
wionews.com
Sources
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