CPM’s John Brittas recounts detention; Salman Khurshid defends Congress’s SIR stir
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CPI(M) MP John Brittas has accused Delhi Police and CRPF personnel of assaulting and detaining him during protests in Connaught Circus. He said he was forcibly taken into a police vehicle while speaking to the media and was released after a senior officer intervened. Meanwhile, Congress leader Salman Khurshid told India Today that the party would pursue its campaign against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) on multiple fronts. He said recent revelations warranted judicial scrutiny and defended Rahul Gandhi’s remarks about the Chief Election Commissioner.
CPI(M) MP John Brittas has accused Delhi Police and CRPF personnel of assaulting and detaining him during protests in Connaught Circus. He said he was forcibly taken into a police vehicle while speaking to the media and was released after a senior officer intervened. Meanwhile, Congress leader Salman Khurshid told India Today that the party would pursue its campaign against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) on multiple fronts. He said recent revelations warranted judicial scrutiny and defended Rahul Gandhi’s remarks about the Chief Election Commissioner.
Speaking amid rival demonstrations in central Delhi's Connaught Place, BJP leader Rajnath Singh targeted opponents over demands for regime change. He stated that terms like 'regime change' demonstrate the ongoing stir is not about electoral reforms, the Election Commission of India, Gyanesh Kumar, or the future of youth, alleging instead that it is a conspiracy to capture power by spreading anarchy across the country. He added that democratic discourse falls prey to prejudice and propaganda when political self-interest takes precedence over truth and national interest.
High drama unfolded in central Delhi as police detained key protest leaders, including Neha Bora, Deepankar Bhattacharya, and Abhijeet Dipke, during a march towards Connaught Place. Protesters and student groups, including Left associations and members of AISA, gathered from Mandi House, Barakhamba Road, and KG Marg to stage demonstrations against the Election Commission. Paramilitary personnel and Delhi Police maintained a heavy presence, cordoning off central areas and halting minivans carrying detainees amidst sit-ins by students. Speaking to the network, activist Anjali Bhardwaj asserted that holding peaceful protests is a fundamental right and criticized security forces for restricting citizens carrying national flags. She demanded accountability from the Chief Election Commissioner and called for scrapping the Special Intensive Revision exercise, alleging that the poll body has acted in a biased manner. Responding to government allegations regarding attempts at regime change, Bhardwaj maintained that regular elections exist specifically for peaceful transitions of power in a democracy.
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