Story perspectives

Delhi Police Detain 260 MPs as March Blocked

By Drooid · Oct 8, 2026, 4:41 AM UTC · How we work

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Blockade endangers voting rights

On Wednesday 7 October 2026, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge hosted a lunch for opposition MPs at Sagar Ratna, Delhi, then police blocked their march to Jantar Mantar.
The summary stresses that police blockage endangers voters’ rights by suppressing protests against Special Intensive Revision, which has excluded millions from the electoral roll.
Delhi Police filed an FIR against Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra for alleged forcible entry into Akashvani Bhawan.
The bloc urged CEC Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation, citing SIR disenfranchisement.

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MPs among detainees

On Wednesday 7 October 2026, Mallikarjun Kharge hosted a lunch for opposition MPs at Sagar Ratna in Delhi after police blocked their march toward Jantar Mantar.
The lunch highlighted coordination tensions in the INDIA bloc, as Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav skipped it, saying he was not informed.
Rahul Gandhi pledged to continue protests until Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar resigns.
Delhi Police said 260 people, including ten MPs, were detained after the march was stopped.

History

Historical Context

In June 1975, Prime Minister Indira Gandhi declared a nationwide Emergency, suspending civil liberties and arresting opposition leaders. The Janata Party, Congress (O) and trade unions reported that more than 100,000 activists were detained by Delhi Police and central agencies. Similarly, on 7 October 2026, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge’s opposition lunch faced police blockage, with the Delhi Police filing FIRs against Rahul Gandhi and detaining 260 participants. The 1975 Emergency’s legacy prompted the 1977 Janata reforms that strengthened judicial oversight, suggesting current protests may pressure the Election Commission toward greater transparency.

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Blockade endangers voting rights

On Wednesday 7 October 2026, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge hosted a lunch for opposition MPs at Sagar Ratna, Delhi, then police blocked their march to Jantar Mantar.
The summary stresses that police blockage endangers voters’ rights by suppressing protests against Special Intensive Revision, which has excluded millions from the electoral roll.
Delhi Police filed an FIR against Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra for alleged forcible entry into Akashvani Bhawan.
The bloc urged CEC Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation, citing SIR disenfranchisement.

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