‘What democracy is there in the country?’ KC Venugopal hits out after protest detentions

New Delhi: Congress General Secretary and MP KC Venugopal on Monday criticised the Centre and the Delhi Police for detaining MPs from the INDIA bloc during a protest march against the Election Commission of India (ECI). The demonstration was held over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process in Bihar and allegations of voter fraud.

Venugopal questioned the state of democracy, alleging that MPs were being denied the freedom to approach the ECI.

“The police and government are not allowing us to march for even 30 seconds. They want to stop us here. What democracy is there in the country? MPs don’t have the freedom to go to the Election Commission,” Venugopal told reporters.

He said the ECI had allowed only 30 individuals to enter its office. “Now they are telling only 30 people can come, but at least allow those 30 people to head to the Election Commission office,” he added.

NCP-SCP MP Supriya Sule said the protest was peaceful and that Mahatma Gandhi remained their inspiration.

Earlier in the day, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi, and several other INDIA bloc MPs were detained by Delhi Police during the march. Those detained included Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut, TMC MP Sagarika Ghose, and others. They were taken by bus to the Parliament Street police station.

Rahul Gandhi said the Opposition’s struggle was not a political battle but an effort to safeguard the Constitution.

“The reality is that they cannot talk. The truth is in front of the country. This fight is not political. This fight is to save the Constitution. This fight is for one man, one vote. We want a clean, pure voters list,” he said.

ANI inputs