New Delhi, August 11, 2025: Delhi Police detained several Members of Parliament (MPs), including Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, during a protest march organized by the INDIA bloc towards the Election Commission of India (ECI) headquarters in New Delhi. Led by Rahul Gandhi, over 100 MPs from the opposition alliance participated in the demonstration, which was halted by police intervention, leading to the detention of prominent leaders such as Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Sanjay Raut, and Sagarika Ghose.
Background of the Protest
The INDIA bloc organized the protest to voice concerns over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter lists in Bihar and allegations of electoral malpractices, including claims of “vote theft.” The march, which began around 11:30 AM from the Parliament House, aimed to cover approximately one kilometer to reach the ECI headquarters and submit a memorandum addressing these issues. Protesters, wearing white caps, raised slogans against the SIR process and alleged manipulation in the electoral system.
Police Intervention and Detentions
Delhi Police had set up barricades on the route to the ECI office to prevent the march from proceeding, citing a lack of prior permission for the protest. When MPs attempted to move forward, they were stopped, prompting some to stage a sit-in on the road while chanting slogans against the SIR and electoral irregularities. As the situation escalated, police detained several MPs, including Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Sanjay Raut of Shiv Sena (UBT), and Sagarika Ghose of Trinamool Congress, and transported them to nearby police stations.
Joint Commissioner of Police for New Delhi, Deepak Purohit, stated, “The detained INDIA bloc leaders have been taken to nearby police stations. We are still ascertaining the exact number of detained MPs. No permission was sought for this protest, though we had prior information. If the leaders decide, we can escort them to the Election Commission office, where adequate security arrangements are in place.”
Statements from Detained Leaders
During the detention, Rahul Gandhi addressed the media, emphasizing, “This is not a political fight; it is a battle to protect the Constitution and the principle of ‘one person, one vote.’ We demand a transparent and accurate voter list.” Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, while being escorted to a police van, criticized the central government, stating, “The government is acting like a coward.”
Controversy Surrounding Bihar’s SIR
The INDIA bloc has accused the ECI of removing lakhs of legitimate voters from Bihar’s electoral rolls through the SIR process, alleging that it undermines democratic principles. The opposition claims that the ECI is acting in the interests of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Rahul Gandhi had previously raised concerns about voter list irregularities in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections in Karnataka and Maharashtra. The controversy has disrupted proceedings in both houses of Parliament, leading to adjournments until 2 PM on Monday.
Police Clarification
Deputy Commissioner of Police Devesh Kumar Mahla clarified, “The Election Commission had permitted a delegation of 30 MPs to meet at their office. However, over 200 MPs participated in the march, leading to law and order concerns. Some MPs attempted to climb over the barricades, necessitating their detention.”
INDIA Bloc’s Allegations
The INDIA bloc maintains that the protest was aimed at safeguarding democratic rights and ensuring transparency in the electoral process. Leaders have criticized the ECI for a lack of transparency in the voter list revision process. Reports of health deterioration among some detained MPs, such as Trinamool Congress’s Mahua Moitra, highlight the intensity of the protest.
