Symbolic imageOpposition leaders briefly detained at march on Indian Election Commission
Police briefly detained Rahul Gandhi and other opposition lawmakers on Tuesday as they marched on India's Election Commission. They demand the resignation of chief Gyanesh Kumar over a voter-roll revision.
Lawmakers led by Congress marched from parliament in New Delhi on Tuesday, 6 October, until a heavy police deployment stopped them short of the commission's headquarters. Police detained Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and others, saying the detentions were lawful and meant to keep the peace; Congress said they were released later. Gandhi put participation at 300 lawmakers, which Reuters could not independently confirm.
Contested revision
The revision began in Bihar in 2025 and has spread to most states. About 130 million names, roughly 13 per cent of voters, are estimated to have been removed, the FT reports. The commission says they were duplicates, deceased or immigrants; critics say Muslims were hit hardest. On Friday it ordered officials to restore eligible voters.
Indian Express report
The paper reported last month that the two other commissioners objected formally at least 14 times to key decisions. The commission calls this normal deliberation and says its final decisions were unanimous.
BJP's response
BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra accused Congress of seeking anarchy and attacking institutions. Sudhanshu Trivedi said its lawmakers mislead the nation with baseless claims.