Indian opposition MPs detained during protest demanding election chief’s resignation

Delhi police broke up a protest by Rahul Gandhi and other opposition MPs on Tuesday evening as they demanded the resignation of India’s chief election commissioner, Gyanesh Kumar. Gandhi was temporarily detained and taken away in a police bus with his sister, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and other protesters.

The opposition said 237 MPs from several parties joined the march. Police did not disclose the total number detained; officer Manjeet Sheoran said several MPs were taken by bus to different police stations.

Police blocked route to commission

The MPs tried to march from parliament to the Election Commission headquarters, but police erected barricades and tightened security along the route. After being released shortly afterwards, Gandhi and Vadra resumed the march before protesters held a sit-in near Akashvani Bhavan.

Police said the protesters were removed to maintain law and order and prevent the situation from escalating. A complaint was also registered against Gandhi and Vadra for allegedly entering Akashvani Bhavan without permission.

Commission rejects allegations

Opposition parties accuse Kumar of revising voter rolls to benefit the governing Bharatiya Janata Party. The commission says the Special Intensive Revision is intended to remove duplicate and ineligible voters; more than 130 million names have been removed from draft rolls nationwide.

Opposition parties and activists say eligible voters have also been excluded. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge listed three demands: Kumar’s resignation, cancellation of the revision and a return to paper ballots.

Commission offered a different meeting format

The Election Commission said it was willing to meet the opposition but objected to a proposed 240-member delegation meeting at parliament. It said a party representative must request an appointment and that meetings are held at the commission’s offices.

The dispute has also reached India’s Supreme Court. The court has asked the federal government and the Election Commission to respond to a petition alleging that Kumar took key decisions without the approval of the other two election commissioners.