India
oi-Swastika Sruti
Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi was released after being briefly detained by Delhi Police during the Opposition’s protest in the national capital.
Opposition leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra were briefly detained by Delhi Police during a protest demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation over alleged electoral irregularities. Protests are set to continue, with the Samajwadi Party joining the agitation.
The detention came amid a growing confrontation between Opposition parties and the Election Commission over allegations of “vote chori” and demands for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Congress leaders said the protest would continue, with the Samajwadi Party also set to join the Opposition’s agitation on Thursday.
Rahul Gandhi Distributes Water To Police Personnel
During the detention, Rahul Gandhi was seen inside a bus with other Opposition leaders and protesters. Congress said he offered water bottles to police personnel who were deployed to control the situation.
मोहब्बत वाला नेता ❤️बस के अंदर से पुलिसकर्मियों को पानी की बोतलें देते हुए नेता प्रतिपक्ष श्री @RahulGandhi जी ने सिर्फ इतना कहा,“आप सभी अपना काम कर रहे हैं।”यही फर्क है। लड़ाई व्यवस्था और अन्याय के खिलाफ है, ड्यूटी कर रहे जवानों के खिलाफ नहीं।संघर्ष में भी इंसानियत और सम्मान बनाए रखना ही राहुल गांधी जी की राजनीति की पहचान है।गर्व है हमें अपने नेता पर। 🇮🇳#RahulGandhi #DelhiCongress #LoktantraBachao
— Delhi Congress (@INCDelhi) October 7, 2026
While handing over the bottles, Gandhi reportedly told the police personnel, “You all are doing your job.”
Congress leaders presented the gesture as a sign that their protest was directed at the government and the system, rather than the police personnel carrying out their duties.
The detention followed a tense confrontation between Opposition leaders and Delhi Police as they attempted to continue their protest over the Election Commission.
Priyanka Gandhi Lays On Road, Dragged By Cop
Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra was also detained during the protest. She was was forcibly removed after she and other women MPs lay down on the road leading to Jantar Mantar. She said, ” They have thrown us to the ground. Now, we are not going to move from here. Let them crawl their forces back. I will not move from here.”
VIDEO | Delhi: Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra (@priyankagandhi) lied down on road, holding a copy of the Constitution in her hands(Full video available on PTI Videos – https://t.co/d8jp61yd2p) https://t.co/oB3EuMkuvP
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 7, 2026
After being detained, she questioned the government’s handling of the demonstration and said the Opposition wanted to meet the Election Commission.
“What does democracy mean? People’s rule. It has certain principles, which are laid down in the Constitution,” Priyanka Gandhi said.
She said the Opposition wanted to present its concerns about the electoral process directly to the Election Commission and demand the resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar.
“We want to meet the Election Commission. We want to meet them. We want to tell them what we think and how the election process is being conducted. And we want to demand his resignation,” she said.
Mahua Moitra Says Protesters Were ‘Beaten & Bruised’
Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra also took to social media after the protest and described the situation at the Chhatrasal Stadium, where detained protesters were taken.
“We are in Chhatrasal Stadium now. Beaten & bruised but going strong. Gyanesh will GO,” Moitra wrote.
We are in Chatrasal stadium now. Beaten & bruised but going strong. Gyanesh will GO. https://t.co/3EbXsiifN2
— Mahua Moitra (@MahuaMoitra) October 7, 2026
Her statement came as Opposition leaders accused Delhi Police of using force against protesters.
The allegations were made by Opposition leaders during the confrontation, while police action and the circumstances surrounding the detention remain part of the political dispute.
Congress Vows To Continue Protest
Congress general secretary KC Venugopal criticised the detention of Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi and accused the government of attempting to intimidate Opposition leaders.
In a post on X, Venugopal alleged that the two leaders had been “manhandled” by police.
बवाल वीडियो है 💯 https://t.co/pfRXBmVgXd
— Congress (@INCIndia) October 7, 2026
He said the Congress would continue its campaign and return for further protests.
“We are only just getting started, this petty intimidation will not deter us. We will return in greater numbers tomorrow, the day after, and the day after – until the Vote Chors face justice,” Venugopal said.
The Congress has been using the phrase “vote chori” while accusing the Election Commission of irregularities in the electoral process.
Supriya Shrinate Accuses Delhi Police Of Manhandling Leaders
Congress leader Supriya Shrinate also criticised the police action against the Opposition leaders.
She said elected representatives represented large numbers of voters and argued that Rahul Gandhi, as Leader of the Opposition, was representing the Opposition in Parliament.
Shrinate accused Delhi Police of crossing “all limits of decency” in the way Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi were allegedly treated.
She also accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah of protecting CEC Gyanesh Kumar.
Shrinate said the Congress would continue its campaign, framing it as a fight over democracy, the Constitution and the right to vote.
This is what Amit Shah’s Delhi Police does to women MPsModi, You are so done, bro! https://t.co/YH30ny6klJ
— Supriya Shrinate (@SupriyaShrinate) October 7, 2026
SP To Join Opposition Protest
The Opposition has decided to continue its agitation instead of ending the campaign after Wednesday’s detentions.
The Samajwadi Party is expected to join the protest on Thursday, adding another INDIA bloc ally to the campaign against the Election Commission.
The Opposition is demanding greater accountability from the poll panel and has repeatedly called for Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation.
The Election Commission has faced sustained criticism from Opposition parties over the allegations, while the poll panel has maintained that the electoral process is governed by established rules and procedures.
