A dramatic political showdown unfolded in New Delhi on Tuesday, July 21, when senior Opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and Akhilesh Yadav, were detained by Delhi Police during a protest march toward Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s residence. The demonstration was organized to protest the police action against participants in the previous day’s student-led agitation in the capital.
What happened?
- Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, and several MPs led a march toward the Prime Minister’s residence.
- Police stopped the procession using barricades before it reached the high-security zone.
- As protesters attempted to move forward, Delhi Police detained several Opposition leaders and escorted them away in police vehicles.
Why were they protesting?
The Opposition said the protest was aimed at demanding accountability over the alleged use of force against students and demonstrators during the previous day’s protests in Delhi. Rahul Gandhi accused the government of suppressing peaceful democratic protests and sought an explanation for the police action.
Claims of manhandling
Congress released videos alleging that Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi were forcibly removed from the protest site. The party also shared photographs showing Rahul Gandhi with what it described as a nosebleed following the police action, while accusing security personnel of using excessive force. Authorities had not publicly confirmed those allegations at the time of reporting.
Government’s response
The Centre criticized the protest, arguing that Congress had shifted its demands and was attempting to escalate the political confrontation. Reports said Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office Jitendra Singh briefly interacted with Rahul Gandhi during the standoff before police cleared the area.
Key highlights
- Who was detained? Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Akhilesh Yadav, and several Opposition MPs.
- Where? Near Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s residence in New Delhi.
- Reason for protest: Opposition demanded accountability for police action during earlier student demonstrations.
- Police action: Leaders were stopped, detained, and removed from the protest site.
- Political fallout: Congress alleged excessive force, while the government defended the security measures.
