Delhi protest turns tense; AA Rahim, other MPs assaulted by police

NEW DELHI: Four Rajya Sabha MPs from Kerala were detained by the Delhi Police during a protest march by the INDIA bloc to the Election Commission headquarters in Delhi. A.A. Rahim, John Brittas, P. Santhosh Kumar and V. Sivadasan were taken into custody during the march. Opposition leaders alleged that MPs taking part in the protest were forcibly removed by the police, dragged along the road and taken into police vehicles.

After being detained, A.A. Rahim alleged that he was assaulted inside the police vehicle as well. In a video posted on Facebook, Rahim said the Centre was mistaken if it believed the protesters could be intimidated by the sight of batons and khaki uniforms. He said the protest would continue until democracy was ensured in the country. Rahim also alleged that a woman activist who was with the protesters was brutally assaulted and that they intervened to stop it. He said the protesters would not retreat even an inch from the protest, regardless of how much they were attacked or how much blood was shed. Meanwhile, Rajya Sabha MP John Brittas urged the police to provide immediate medical assistance to Rahim, who had alleged that he was assaulted during the incident.

The INDIA bloc has reportedly decided to pursue further legal action over the incident and submit complaints to the Central government and the authorities concerned. There was no immediate response from the Delhi Police or central security agencies regarding the detention of the MPs. The opposition alliance was protesting with a demand for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The march was organised over allegations against the Election Commission concerning issues related to electoral rolls.

The protest march, which began under the leadership of the Congress, reportedly turned tense after reaching the area near Akashvani Bhavan. Police intervened when INDIA bloc leaders attempted to stage a sit-in protest. Leaders including Rahul Gandhi continued the sit-in protest at the location into the night.