On August 11, 2025, the Delhi Police arrested Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, along with several opposition Members of Parliament, during a protest march to the Election Commission of India (ECI) headquarters.
The demonstration, organised by the INDIA bloc, accused the ECI of bias in favour of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and protested the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter rolls in Bihar. The protestors alleged that there was “vote theft” in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
The march, which began at Parliament, aimed to file a complaint questioning the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) impartiality. Delhi Police detained several leaders for attempting to cross barricades, allowing only 30 Members of Parliament (MPs) to meet with the ECI, as reported by Economic Times and India Times. Rahul Gandhi stated, “This fight is to save the Constitution and ensure one person, one vote,” while Priyanka Gandhi accused the government of cowardice. Other leaders who were detained included Sanjay Raut and Sagarika Ghose, while Akhilesh Yadav was seen climbing over barricades.
Delhi Police arrested Congress leaders @RahulGandhi and @priyankagandhi , along with several opposition MPs, during a protest march to the Election Commission of India (ECI) headquarters. The demonstration, organised by the INDIA bloc, accused the ECI of bias toward the ruling… pic.twitter.com/GmrB5w068e
— Photo News (@PhotoNewsPk) August 11, 2025The arrests come amid increased political tension following the 2024 elections, as opposition parties have accused the government of manipulating voter lists. The Supreme Court is currently addressing the SIR controversy, which has sparked widespread protests, particularly in the lead-up to the Bihar elections. Additionally, the INDIA bloc’s campaign for electoral transparency has caused disruptions in Parliament, resulting in both houses being adjourned due to the ongoing conflict.
Read: Opposition Leader Rahul Gandhi Accused Modi of Cowardice
The detentions heighten tensions between the opposition and the BJP, potentially energising the INDIA bloc’s campaign. This incident raises concerns about electoral integrity and the right to protest, drawing public attention to governance issues. Ongoing investigations, along with the opposition’s determination, indicate that political friction is likely to continue.
