Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi detained by Delhi Police while heading to Jantar Mantar protest

Delhi Police stopped and detained Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who was headed with INDIA bloc MPs to a protest at Jantar Mantar demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Priyanka Gandhi and other MPs who joined the protest were also detained.

Around 200 INDIA bloc MPs were heading towards Jantar Mantar in three buses. Police stopped all three buses about 100 metres from the protest ground.

After the buses were stopped, Rahul Gandhi sat down on the road at the spot, and Priyanka Gandhi sat with him. Police tried to talk to Rahul Gandhi to dissuade him from going to the protest, but he stood firm.

Delhi Police then detained Rahul Gandhi. The Congress said Priyanka Gandhi and the other MPs were detained soon after. Priyanka Gandhi alleged that police manhandled her and the other MPs.

This is not the first time Rahul Gandhi has been detained. On Tuesday, he had led a march to the Election Commission's office, where Delhi Police stopped him. He then sat on the road near Akashvani Bhavan for eight hours, and police detained him at night.

Afterwards, a dinner was held for INDIA bloc MPs at the residence of Congress national president Mallikarjun Kharge. After it ended, the MPs set out for Jantar Mantar in three buses.

Along with Gyanesh Kumar's resignation, the INDIA bloc has made demands on the SIR process. The first is that a motion be brought in Parliament to remove Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The bloc also says the names deleted from the electoral rolls in the SIR process should be made public. Another demand is that any voter be given notice and a chance to appeal before their name is deleted. It has also demanded that elections be held through ballot papers instead of EVMs.

Rahul Gandhi has questioned Gyanesh Kumar's way of working and demanded his resignation. He also alleged that the country's democracy is in danger because of Gyanesh Kumar's role.

The Congress and other opposition parties have been repeatedly raising questions about the Election Commission's processes. The demand for Gyanesh Kumar's resignation and the SIR issue have further sharpened the conflict between the ruling side and the opposition.