‘Horrified, Disgraceful’: Tharoor Condemns Govt Over Rahul Gandhi’s Detention At EC March – Delhi News Daily

Last Updated:October 07, 2026, 02:21 IST

Tharoor said he was “horrified” after seeing images of Gandhi being “manhandled and dragged off to detention” during the protest.

Combo pic: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor and Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi. (Photos: ANI/PTI)

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Tuesday criticised the central government over the detention of Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi during a protest in the national capital against the Election Commission of India (ECI), calling the action “disgraceful”.

In a post on X, Tharoor said he was “horrified” after seeing images of Gandhi being “manhandled and dragged off to detention” following an INDIA bloc protest over allegations of “vote chori” against the Election Commission.

“Horrified to see the images from New Delhi of the LoP, @rahulgandhi, being manhandled and dragged off to detention,” he wrote.

Tharoor was not present at the protest as he was in Berlin for a conference. He said he could only extend his support from abroad but remained confident that “justice will prevail”.

Tharoor Backs Opposition Protest

The senior Congress MP said the protest was aimed at standing up for citizens whose constitutional rights were allegedly being affected.

“At a time when Indian democracy is being ravaged by the disenfranchisement of 130 million voters, to protest is to stand with every citizen whose constitutional rights are being violated,” he said.

Tharoor also criticised the government’s response to the protest, calling it as “disgraceful”.

His remarks came after opposition MPs were stopped from marching from the Parliament complex towards the Election Commission office to raise concerns over alleged irregularities in electoral rolls and the Special Intensive Revision process.

Rahul, Priyanka Detained Among Other Congress Leaders

Rahul Gandhi and Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra were among those detained after an over-eight-hour sit-in at Akashvani Bhawan.

Police removed the protesters from the premises after the march towards the Election Commission was stopped. Several Congress leaders and MPs were also detained and taken to the New Police Line at Kingsway Camp.

Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi and other detained Congress leaders were released shortly after 10 pm, the party said.

The Leader of the Opposition has led the Congress campaign against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, demanding his immediate removal over allegations of “vote chori” (vote theft).

(With inputs from PTI)

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Why did Shashi Tharoor condemn the central government?

Shashi Tharoor condemned the central government over the detention and manhandling of Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi during an INDIA bloc protest in New Delhi.

What was the purpose of the opposition protest towards the Election Commission?

The opposition protest aimed to raise concerns over alleged irregularities in electoral rolls, the Special Intensive Revision process, and the disenfranchisement of 130 million voters.

Who was detained during the protest march in New Delhi?

Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and several other Congress leaders and MPs were detained following an eight-hour sit-in at Akashvani Bhawan and later released shortly after 10 pm.

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