NEW DELHI: Opposition MPs from the INDIA bloc, including senior leaders Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and Sharad Pawar, were stopped by Delhi Police on Monday as they marched from Parliament to the Election Commission headquarters. The demonstration was held against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar and allegations of “voter fraud” during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
Wearing white caps marked with a red cross over the words “SIR” and “vote chori”, the leaders raised slogans and carried placards accusing the Election Commission of collusion with the government. The march began at Parliament’s Makar Dwar with the national anthem but was halted at Transport Bhawan, where police had set up heavy barricading.
Here's the latest developments:
Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka detained
Delhi Police detained several senior leaders of the INDIA bloc — including Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Sanjay Raut, and Sagarika Ghose — during the protest march.
Speaking during the protest, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said, “Dare hue hai. Sarkaar kaayar hai (They are scared. This government is cowardly).”
Akhilesh Yadav jumps barricades
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav accused the authorities of using police to suppress dissent. “They are using the police to stop us,” he said, before sitting down in protest. The former Uttar Pradesh chief minister also physically jumped over a barricade as MPs were blocked from proceeding towards the EC. Several other leaders followed suit, climbing the barriers to chant slogans against the SIR exercise.
Senior leaders join in protest
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, NCP’s Sharad Pawar, and other top opposition figures walked alongside MPs from the DMK, TMC, RJD, and Left parties. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra led chants as the group accused the EC of “murdering democracy” through voter list manipulation. Banners reading “SIR + Vote Theft = Murder of Democracy” and “SIR – Loktantra Par Vaar” were prominently displayed.
Shashi Tharoor calls for credible answers
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor backed Rahul Gandhi’s allegations, saying, “The Election Commission not only has a responsibility to the nation, but it has a responsibility to itself… Our democracy is too precious to be jeopardised by doubts about whether there is duplicate voting… Those answers must be provided credibly.”
Don’t need permission to walk on the streets of Delhi: SP MP
SP MP Ramgopal Yadav said MPs “don’t need permission to walk on the streets of Delhi”, questioning the need for such police restrictions. RJD’s Manoj Jha called the SIR “a fraud” and accused the EC of ignoring Supreme Court directions. SP’s Dimple Yadav alleged booth capturing and vote theft in UP by-elections, questioning why no action was taken.
BJP defends Election Commission
BJP MP Jagdambika Pal criticised the opposition for disrupting Parliament and reiterated the EC’s challenge to Rahul Gandhi to provide proof for his “vote theft” allegations. “If you have any proof, show it,” Pal said.
Security clampdown in central Delhi
Ahead of the march, security was tightened around Transport Bhawan with multiple barricades placed to prevent movement towards the EC headquarters. Police used loudspeakers to instruct MPs to stop, insisting the group could not proceed further.
Wearing white caps marked with a red cross over the words “SIR” and “vote chori”, the leaders raised slogans and carried placards accusing the Election Commission of collusion with the government. The march began at Parliament’s Makar Dwar with the national anthem but was halted at Transport Bhawan, where police had set up heavy barricading.
Here's the latest developments:
Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka detained
Delhi Police detained several senior leaders of the INDIA bloc — including Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Sanjay Raut, and Sagarika Ghose — during the protest march.
Speaking during the protest, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said, “Dare hue hai. Sarkaar kaayar hai (They are scared. This government is cowardly).”
Akhilesh Yadav jumps barricades
Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav accused the authorities of using police to suppress dissent. “They are using the police to stop us,” he said, before sitting down in protest. The former Uttar Pradesh chief minister also physically jumped over a barricade as MPs were blocked from proceeding towards the EC. Several other leaders followed suit, climbing the barriers to chant slogans against the SIR exercise.
#WATCH | Delhi: Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav jumps over a police barricade as Delhi Police stops INDIA bloc leaders marching from the Parliament to the Election Commission of India to protest against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in poll-bound… pic.twitter.com/X8YV4mQ28P
— ANI (@ANI) August 11, 2025
Senior leaders join in protest
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, NCP’s Sharad Pawar, and other top opposition figures walked alongside MPs from the DMK, TMC, RJD, and Left parties. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra led chants as the group accused the EC of “murdering democracy” through voter list manipulation. Banners reading “SIR + Vote Theft = Murder of Democracy” and “SIR – Loktantra Par Vaar” were prominently displayed.
Shashi Tharoor calls for credible answers
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor backed Rahul Gandhi’s allegations, saying, “The Election Commission not only has a responsibility to the nation, but it has a responsibility to itself… Our democracy is too precious to be jeopardised by doubts about whether there is duplicate voting… Those answers must be provided credibly.”
Don’t need permission to walk on the streets of Delhi: SP MP
SP MP Ramgopal Yadav said MPs “don’t need permission to walk on the streets of Delhi”, questioning the need for such police restrictions. RJD’s Manoj Jha called the SIR “a fraud” and accused the EC of ignoring Supreme Court directions. SP’s Dimple Yadav alleged booth capturing and vote theft in UP by-elections, questioning why no action was taken.
BJP defends Election Commission
BJP MP Jagdambika Pal criticised the opposition for disrupting Parliament and reiterated the EC’s challenge to Rahul Gandhi to provide proof for his “vote theft” allegations. “If you have any proof, show it,” Pal said.
Security clampdown in central Delhi
Ahead of the march, security was tightened around Transport Bhawan with multiple barricades placed to prevent movement towards the EC headquarters. Police used loudspeakers to instruct MPs to stop, insisting the group could not proceed further.
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