New Delhi: Delhi Police have arrested opposition MPs, including Rahul Gandhi, who were set to stage a protest at Jantar Mantar in Delhi demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The incident has created a stir in Delhi.
About 300 opposition MPs marched from the Parliament complex toward the Election Commission yesterday (Tuesday), demanding Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation. Rahul Gandhi and others who took part in the protest were arrested and later released.
In this context, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge hosted a lunch for key opposition MPs in Delhi today. The lunch was held at a restaurant in the Janpath area of central Delhi. Among those who attended were Lok Sabha Opposition Leader Rahul Gandhi, Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi, RJD MP Manoj Jha, CPM MP John Brittas, and VCK leader Thol. Thirumavalavan.
Speaking to reporters later, Rahul Gandhi said, “As I said yesterday, around 300 MPs wanted to meet the Chief Election Commissioner. But they said that a protest cannot be held there. So, we have planned to go to Jantar Mantar, which has been designated for protests, and hold our protest there.”
Following this, they departed from there for Jantar Mantar in three buses. Delhi Police, who stopped their buses on Ashoka Road, told them that they cannot hold a protest at Jantar Mantar without prior permission.
Rahul Gandhi and other MPs who got off the bus strongly protested this. Following this, the police lifted Rahul Gandhi and placed him back on the bus. Similarly, the other MPs were also arrested and taken to another location.
Protesting against being arrested, Priyanka Gandhi lay down on the road itself. Women police officers arrested her and put her on the bus. At that time, she expressed her protest by showing the Constitution book she was holding in her hand and saying “Vande Mataram.”
Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera, condemning this action by the police, said, “Gyanesh Kumar should resign. Arrests and baton charges are not the solution. This is a struggle to save democracy. We were not allowed to hold a peaceful protest at the designated place. If this continues, how will democracy function? We will come back,” he said.
Earlier, speaking to reporters, Delhi Deputy Commissioner of Police Sachin Sharma said, “Members of Parliament and their supporters are coming in three buses to hold a protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar. We have received information that they are heading to Jantar Mantar. Therefore, Section 163 of the BNSS is in force here.
Protests are not allowed here without proper permission. Since they are all Members of Parliament, we will keep that in mind and deal with them with dignity and in accordance with proper procedures,” he said.
