Archive · 8 Oct 2026
Rahul and Priyanka Detained During INDIA Bloc Protest
Opposition politicians in Delhi protested on Wednesday.
They want Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to resign and want to discuss changes to voter lists with the Election Commission.
Police stopped them from reaching Jantar Mantar, so some protesters sat down nearby.
Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and other leaders were detained.
Videos showed Rahul being carried into a police bus.
Priyanka and other leaders said police used too much force.
Reports also described police using batons against youth and student Congress workers.
Police said the protest had not been permitted.
The Election Commission said a large group meeting did not follow its usual process.
The demonstration followed another protest on Tuesday.
Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and other INDIA bloc leaders were detained by Delhi Police during Wednesday’s protest near Jantar Mantar.
The MPs were stopped from reaching the protest site and staged a sit-in near a roundabout; footage showed Rahul being carried into a police bus.
The Opposition demanded Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation and sought a meeting with the Election Commission over electoral-roll revision.
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and other Opposition leaders alleged police used excessive force; reports also described a lathi-charge on Indian Youth Congress and National Students’ Union of India workers.
The protest followed Tuesday’s march and sit-in near Akashvani Bhawan; the Election Commission cited meeting protocol, while police said no protest permission had been granted.
- Who
- Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and other INDIA bloc leaders and supporters; Delhi Police.
- What
- Opposition leaders were detained during a protest demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation and raising concerns about electoral-roll revision.
- When
- Wednesday, October 7, 2026; the protest followed demonstrations on Tuesday.
- Where
- Near Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, including a nearby roundabout where protesters staged a sit-in.
- Why
- The INDIA bloc said it was protesting alleged irregularities in the Election Commission’s functioning and the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.
Opposition’s claims
Authorities’ stated positions
Police conduct
Opposition’s claims
Opposition leaders alleged police used excessive force. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said women police personnel scratched her and threw protesters to the ground; reports described a lathi-charge on youth and student Congress workers.
Authorities’ stated positions
Delhi Police said action was taken to maintain law and order. The articles do not provide a detailed police response to the specific allegations of force.
Meeting with the Election Commission
Opposition’s claims
The INDIA bloc said it wanted to meet the Election Commission to raise concerns about electoral rolls.
Authorities’ stated positions
The Election Commission said a meeting involving a large group of MPs did not follow established protocol and offered to have a senior officer receive a memorandum.
Protest permission
Opposition’s claims
Opposition leaders said they were exercising their democratic right to protest and were prevented from proceeding to Jantar Mantar.
Authorities’ stated positions
Delhi Police said no permission had been sought or granted for the protest.
- Date
- Wednesday, October 7, 2026
- Location
- Near Jantar Mantar, New Delhi
- Main demand
- Resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar
- Issue raised
- The Election Commission’s functioning and the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls
- Detained leaders
- Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and other INDIA bloc leaders
- Election Commission position
- It said a proposed meeting involving a large group of MPs did not follow its protocol and offered to have a senior officer receive a memorandum.
- Delhi Police position
- Police said no permission had been sought or granted for the protest and that action was taken to maintain law and order.
Sources
Opposition vs Gyanesh Kumar: Rahul, Priyanka Gandhi forcibly removed, detained during INDIA bloc protest in Delhi
Rahul Gandhi detained at Jantar Mantar during day 2 of Opposition protest demanding CEC resignation
Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Detained As INDI Bloc Protests Against CEC Gyanesh Kumar At Jantar Mantar
Rahul, Priyanka, Constitution & a parrot. Day 2 of Oppn protest against CEC Gyanesh Kumar
Rahul, Priyanka Lead I.N.D.I.A Bloc Protest at Jantar Mantar
Jantar Mantar Standoff: Rahul, Priyanka Lead I.N.D.I.A Bloc's Protest Against EC & Gyanesh Kumar
