New Delhi [India], October 7 – Indian police detained opposition leader Rahul Gandhi and several lawmakers on Tuesday after breaking up a sit-in protesting alleged irregularities in the revision of voter lists and demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Gandhi, his sister and Congress lawmaker Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and other opposition leaders were detained after spending several hours in a sit-in near the Election Commission of India headquarters in New Delhi. They were later released, Congress said.
The protest began with a march by opposition lawmakers from Parliament towards the Election Commission. Police stopped the protesters with barricades before several lawmakers continued the demonstration near the commission.
Opposition parties have accused the Election Commission of revising voter lists in a way that could benefit Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party. The allegations followed reports of disagreements within the commission over the voter-list revision process.
The Election Commission and the BJP have rejected the allegations. BJP spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi accused Congress lawmakers of making baseless claims while the Election Commission has said the revision is intended to ensure the accuracy and integrity of electoral rolls.
Gandhi said the opposition wanted to meet the election commissioners to raise its concerns over the voter lists.
“We only want to go to the election commissioners, ask them questions and tell them you have stolen votes,” Gandhi said.
Delhi Police said Gandhi and other lawmakers were detained to maintain peace and for public safety.
The Election Commission later said it had received a request from the lawmakers to meet but said the venue proposed by them did not follow its protocol. It said the lawmakers rejected an offer for an election official to receive their memorandum.
The protest is part of a series of demonstrations by opposition parties and youth groups over the voter-list revision. The issue has also drawn scrutiny from India’s Supreme Court, which has sought responses from the government and election authorities over changes to electoral rolls.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said the opposition was protesting to protect India’s democracy.
