Opposition leaders vow to continue protests after police detain Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra in Delhi

Protests demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar will continue until he steps down over alleged vote theft, Lok Sabha Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi declared in New Delhi.

What Happened

Delhi Police detained Mr. Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and other opposition leaders for the second consecutive day on October 7, 2026, while they were traveling in a bus procession toward Jantar Mantar. Security personnel stopped the buses near the Le Meridien and Shangri-La hotels, prompting an impromptu sit-in at a nearby roundabout. Police forcibly removed Mr. Gandhi, carrying him on their shoulders to a police van, which was briefly stalled after Congress workers punctured a tyre. Mr. Gandhi was taken to the Barakhamba Road police station and released by 8 p.m. Women police personnel removed Ms. Vadra and other women leaders who were lying on the road clutching copies of the Constitution. Earlier in the day, police registered an FIR against Mr. Gandhi, Ms. Vadra, and others for a dharna inside Akashvani Bhavan.

Reactions

Mr. Gandhi stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah could not stop their resistance, guaranteeing that Mr. Modi, Mr. Shah, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, and Mr. Kumar would be brought to justice. Ms. Vadra alleged that police beat Members of Parliament and scratched her all over while denying them a meeting with the Election Commissioners. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge stated that the opposition is ready to face arrests and legal cases to save the Constitution. Congress general secretary K.C. Venugopal condemned the police action, calling the force criminals in uniform. Other participating leaders included Congress Chief Whip Kodikunnil Suresh, CPI(M)'s John Brittas, CPI's P. Sandosh Kumar, RJD's Manoj Jha, TMC's Derek O'Brien and Mahua Moitra, Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, and Keralam counterpart V.D. Satheesan. Samajwadi Party members were absent due to short notice for the lunch meeting hosted by Mr. Kharge at Sagar Ratna.

Context

Street protests and mass demonstrations are a common tool for political opposition parties in India to draw public attention to institutional disputes and government policies. Jantar Mantar in central Delhi serves as a historic, designated site for public protests, demonstrations, and dharnas. The INDIA bloc brings together multiple opposition parties to contest federal policies and actions of the ruling government.