Rahul Gandhi was hauled away by Delhi Police from a protest at Jantar Mantar on 12 Feb 2024, after a strategy meeting with Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge. The police blocked buses and used sirens as the opposition leaders marched, forcing the MPs to disembark. Gandhi lay on the road clutching the Constitution, a moment captured by on‑lookers before officers moved to detain him.
Priyanka Gandhi, who joined her brother’s protest, was seen lying on the pavement holding the Constitution before police arrested her. She said, 'What is the value of the Constitution in this nation? We will lay down our lives for the Constitution. No cost is too big for us,' as officers dragged her away. Her detention followed the same pattern that saw Rahul taken into a police van.
Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate slammed the action as a 'Black day for democracy,' accusing Delhi Police of overstepping limits and mistreating elected representatives. TMC MP Derek O’Brien called for a third straight day of protests, while CPI(M) MP John Brittas described the MPs as 'victims of police brutality,' demanding they be treated as common citizens and not subjected to manhandling.
The opposition plans to launch a nationwide protest on 15 Feb 2024, demanding the release of all detained MPs and an inquiry into police conduct. Delhi Police officials have yet to issue a formal statement, and the Supreme Court may be asked to intervene if the opposition file a petition against the detentions.