Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi Stage Sit-in at Akashvani Bhawan After Police Block Opposition March to Election Commission

Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and about 300 Opposition MPs were blocked by police on Tuesday during a march to Nirvachan Sadan on Ashoka Road to demand Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar's resignation and the cancellation of the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. Prohibitory orders were in place as Delhi Police and the Rapid Action Force heavily barricaded Sansad Marg and stopped protesters near the NITI Aayog office.

Protest and Detention

Supporters scaled gates and police detained several political workers and leaders in buses. Rahul Gandhi and TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee climbed police barricades, while Priyanka Gandhi was briefly detained. Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and Deepinder Hooda managed to enter the Akashvani Bhawan premises through the reception gate and staged a sit-in under a tree. New Delhi Deputy Commissioner of Police Sachin Sharma arrived with a large police contingent to remove the leaders.

Statements and Context

Addressing the public, Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi stated that 300 MPs wanted to meet the CEC and two Election Commissioners but were blocked. Protesters and MPs carried cutouts of Gyanesh Kumar and raised slogans against the ECI and ruling party.

Context

Protests involving elected representatives and security forces in central Delhi often occur when major political disagreements arise over institutional actions and electoral processes. The Election Commission of India operates under strict security protocols, and mass marches toward its headquarters routinely draw heavy police deployment and prohibitory enforcement.