‘Police scratched me all over’: Priyanka Gandhi recalls being dragged away after detention at Jantar Mantar

Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra was dragged away by Delhi Police after she lay on the ground during a protest by INDIA bloc MPs near Jantar Mantar on Wednesday, alleging that women police personnel had “scratched” her and thrown protesters to the ground.

“I will not move from here. This is how they treat MPs who simply want to meet the Election Commission. This is how they beat up MPs. Women police personnel have scratched me all over and thrown us to the ground. Let them call their forces back,” Priyanka Gandhi said, according to the Congress.

Also read: Rahul Gandhi detained for second time in two days as INDIA bloc leaders stopped near Jantar Mantar


The incident took place as INDIA bloc MPs marched towards Jantar Mantar to protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise. Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi was also detained by Delhi Police.

Priyanka refuses to move, police remove her

Priyanka Gandhi was seen lying on the ground as police personnel moved to stop the opposition MPs from proceeding towards the protest site. She was subsequently removed from the spot by police personnel.

The Congress leader's remarks came amid heightened opposition protests against the Election Commission. The INDIA bloc MPs had earlier in the afternoon attended a meeting convened by Congress president and Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge to discuss the issue concerning the CEC.

The protest follows Tuesday's march and dharna at Akashvani Bhawan, after which opposition leaders stepped up their agitation and moved towards Jantar Mantar.

Congress MP Charanjit Singh Channi accused the Centre of “hooliganism” as the MPs were stopped from moving forward.

Also read: ‘Every FIR is a medal’: Rahul Gandhi marches to Jantar Mantar, riot police deployed as Opposition demands CEC’s resignation

“We want to go towards the ECI office; this government has resorted to hooliganism. There is no democracy. We are being stopped,” Channi said.

Congress MP Pawan Khera said protesting was a democratic right and questioned why MPs were being stopped from entering Jantar Mantar, a designated protest site.

“It is our democratic right; we are fighting for this right,” Khera said, invoking Article 19 and adding that the opposition was fighting for the rights of voters.

‘Not just Gyanesh Kumar’: Jha steps up attack

RJD MP Manoj Kumar Jha also alleged that force was used against the protesters and broadened the opposition's attack beyond the Chief Election Commissioner.

“This is a launch. Not just Gyanesh Kumar; this Government is going out now. They are launching a lathi charge on the soul of India, on the democracy of India. Shame on such people,” Jha told reporters.

Heavy security was deployed near Jantar Mantar as the INDIA bloc MPs approached the protest site. The opposition has intensified its agitation against Gyanesh Kumar over its allegations concerning the SIR exercise, with Wednesday's confrontation coming a day after its protest at Akashvani Bhawan.