INDIA Bloc Leaders Detained During Protest
On 11 August 2025, Delhi Police detained several INDIA bloc MPs—including Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Sanjay Raut, and Sagarika Ghose—during a march from the Parliament’s Makar Dwar to the Election Commission (EC) in New Delhi. The protest focused on opposing the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar. The Economic TimesThe Times of India
2. Barricades Halt the Protest Near Transport Bhawan
The demonstration, which aimed to reach EC headquarters, was stopped by heavy police barricades near Transport Bhawan. Opposing MPs were prevented from proceeding and many sat on the road holding placards. The Economic TimesThe Times of India
3. Akhilesh Yadav Defies Police by Jumping Barricade
Amid heightened tension, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav was seen defiantly jumping over police barricades—symbolizing the INDIA bloc’s resolve against what they called undemocratic voter roll revisions. The Economic Times
4. Opposition Asserts Right to Protest Without Permission
Opposition leaders maintained that MPs do not require official permission for such marches. They carried placards decrying “vote chori” and demanded a rollback of the SIR, calling it an affront to fair electoral practices. The Times of India+1
5. Highlighting Democratic Accountability
Speakers like Shashi Tharoor stressed that the credibility of the Election Commission rests on addressing public doubts. The INDIA bloc demanded transparency and formal answers on alleged manipulation of electoral rolls. The Times of India+1
6. Security Clampdown Reflects Raising Political Tensions
Security was significantly heightened in New Delhi, with central Delhi heavily barricaded and police deployment increased. The protest and resulting detentions prompted both Houses of Parliament to adjourn amid mounting political unrest. The Times of IndiaThe Economic Times
7. INDIA Bloc Effort to Force EC Engagement
The march was organized to prompt a meeting with the EC, demanding electoral data transparency. However, the detentions hampered that effort, intensifying INDIA bloc claims of institutional resistance to accountability. The Times of India+1
8. Significance Amid Bihar Electoral Roll Dispute
The protests underscore deep opposition frustrations over the Bihar SIR process. By staging a march straight from Parliament to EC, INDIA bloc leaders have symbolically escalated their stance on electoral reform and fair political representation
