New Delhi witnessed high political drama on Monday as prominent leaders from the opposition’s INDIA bloc were detained by Delhi Police while marching to the Election Commission headquarters. The protest, aimed at voicing opposition to the recently passed SIR (Special Investigation Regulation), saw Congress heavyweights Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, along with Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut and Trinamool Congress leader Sagarika Ghose, taken into custody.
The Protest and Its Aim
The INDIA bloc, an alliance of opposition parties, had organized a march to the EC headquarters to submit a memorandum against the SIR, which they allege undermines democratic institutions and weakens checks on executive power. Leaders claimed that the new law could be used to target political opponents and restrict dissent.
The march began from the Opposition’s meeting point in Central Delhi and was meant to culminate at the EC office. However, heavy security deployment and barricades were in place, with Delhi Police citing law and order concerns.
Detentions at Transport Bhavan
Within less than an hour of the protest starting, police detained several leaders at Transport Bhavan, not far from the EC headquarters. Video footage from the site showed Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, and Sanjay Raut surrounded by security personnel as they were escorted to police vehicles.
Police officials stated that the leaders were detained for violating prohibitory orders under Section 144, which was imposed in the area. They emphasized that the detentions were “preventive” in nature and that the leaders would be released after due process.
Opposition’s Reaction
Following the detentions, Congress leaders condemned the police action, calling it an attempt to silence democratic protest. “If leaders cannot even march peacefully to the Election Commission, what does that say about the state of democracy?” asked senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh.
Sanjay Raut, speaking before being taken away, accused the government of being intolerant to dissent. “We are not here to cause chaos; we are here to save democracy,” he said.
Trinamool’s Sagarika Ghose, who was also detained, criticized the restrictions placed on political gatherings, stating that “peaceful protest is a constitutional right.”
Government’s Stand
The government, however, dismissed the opposition’s criticism, stating that the SIR is a necessary legal reform aimed at strengthening investigative agencies. BJP spokespersons accused the INDIA bloc of “fearmongering” and “misleading the public” for political gain.
On the detentions, officials reiterated that the police acted in accordance with the law to maintain public order, especially given the presence of large crowds in a high-security area.
Larger Political Context
This episode comes amid heightened tensions between the ruling BJP and the INDIA bloc ahead of the upcoming elections. The opposition alliance has been increasing its public outreach and joint demonstrations, attempting to portray the BJP as authoritarian.
The detentions are likely to add fuel to the political battle, with opposition parties expected to raise the issue in Parliament and on public platforms in the coming days.
While the detained leaders were expected to be released later in the day, the incident has already become a flashpoint in the ongoing debate over the shrinking space for political dissent in India.
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