NEW DELHI: Indian opposition parties staged protests in New Delhi over the revision of voter lists, with Congress leaders raising slogans against the Narendra Modi government and the Election Commission.
According to Indian media reports, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra joined the demonstration as opposition lawmakers attempted to march towards Jantar Mantar, a designated protest site in the capital. Police stopped the protesters before they could reach the location.
Heavy police deployment was made in the area, and several opposition lawmakers and protesters were detained. Visuals showed police personnel taking Rahul Gandhi away in a vehicle, while Priyanka Gandhi Vadra was also detained during the confrontation.
Reports said Priyanka Gandhi lay down on the road during the police action as officers attempted to remove her from the protest site.
The protests are linked to opposition concerns over India’s voter-list revision process, known as the Special Intensive Revision (SIR).
Opposition parties have accused the Election Commission of irregularities and demanded action against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The Election Commission and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party have rejected allegations of wrongdoing.
The detentions came a day after Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi and other opposition leaders were also detained during a protest near the Election Commission’s headquarters.