The INDIA bloc’s march towards the Election Commission headquarters in Delhi turned into a prolonged standoff on Tuesday after police stopped the opposition leaders near Parliament Street. What initially appeared to be the end of the protest took an unexpected turn when Rahul Gandhi moved towards Akashvani Bhavan and entered its premises.
The protest had been organised to demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over opposition allegations concerning the electoral roll revision process. Several opposition leaders were detained after the march was stopped, but Rahul Gandhi’s decision to remain at the site prolonged the confrontation into the afternoon.
Rahul Gandhi changes the course of the protest
The protest began with INDIA bloc MPs marching from Parliament towards the Election Commission office. Security personnel stopped the leaders near the NITI Aayog office, after which several MPs sat on the road.
Rahul Gandhi became the centre of attention when he climbed a barricade and waved the Tricolour as cameras recorded the confrontation. Police subsequently began detaining opposition leaders and putting them into buses.
Among those detained were Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, Trinamool Congress leaders Abhishek Banerjee, Derek O’Brien and Mahua Moitra, and CPI(M) MP John Brittas.
With several leaders being taken away and some Congress leaders leaving, the protest appeared to be winding down. Rahul Gandhi, however, remained outside the buses.
Around 12.20 pm, he moved towards the reception entrance of Akashvani Bhavan, a development that surprised several opposition MPs and changed the direction of the protest.
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Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi enter Akashvani Bhavan
At the reception entrance near Gate 3, staff initially attempted to prevent Rahul Gandhi from entering the premises. A tense confrontation followed before Gandhi entered the building accompanied by his security personnel.
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra later got down from a bus and joined her brother. The two eventually sat near a tree close to Gate 4 as the situation attracted attention from Akashvani staff, journalists and people in the surrounding area.
The gathering soon expanded as more opposition leaders sought to enter the premises. Congress general secretary K C Venugopal and Rajya Sabha MP Pawan Khera reached the gate and held discussions with police officials before eventually entering.
Congress MPs Praniti Shinde, Deepender Singh Hooda and Charanjit Singh Channi, along with Seva Dal chief Srinivas B V, were also present.
Some opposition MPs who had earlier been detained returned after their release, allowing the protest to continue inside and around the broadcasting complex.
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Rahul Gandhi delivers message from protest site
The standoff continued through the afternoon, with opposition leaders remaining inside the premises. Food, water and refreshments were brought for those participating in the protest as journalists gathered outside to follow developments.
Around 2.30 pm, Rahul Gandhi spoke to reporters from inside the premises. He rejected the BJP’s criticism of the protest and said he was standing there to protect democracy.
Gandhi also accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar of actions he described as damaging to the country. These were political allegations made during the protest and are not facts.
The confrontation began with the INDIA bloc demanding Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation and seeking to reach the Election Commission headquarters. After police halted the march, the protest shifted to Akashvani Bhavan and continued for several hours.
The episode demonstrated how a demonstration that appeared close to ending after the detention of several opposition leaders developed into a fresh standoff. With Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and other opposition leaders remaining inside the premises, the protest continued to draw political and public attention through the afternoon.