Indian opposition leader Rahul Gandhi and Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra were detained by police in New Delhi on Thursday during a protest march opposing recent changes to the country’s electoral rolls. The lawmakers, along with other opposition figures, were heading toward Jantar Mantar to demonstrate against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

The opposition parties have called for Kumar’s resignation, accusing the Election Commission of tampering with the voter registration process to favor Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The controversy centers on the removal of over 130 million names from the electoral rolls nationwide. Critics argue that the mass deletions disproportionately disenfranchise voters who might otherwise support the opposition.

Authorities and the Election Commission have rejected these accusations, maintaining that the revisions aim to eliminate duplicate and ineligible entries to improve electoral integrity. They assert that the process preserves the rights of eligible voters while ensuring the accuracy and credibility of the electoral list.

The protest represents growing political tensions as the country approaches its next general elections, with opposition leaders raising concerns about potential electoral manipulation. While the government insists the voter list revision is a routine administrative exercise, opposition figures contend it undermines democratic participation by selectively excluding certain segments of the electorate.

The situation has heightened scrutiny of the Election Commission's role in overseeing free and fair elections. Demonstrations led by opposition parties, including the Indian National Congress, continue to press for accountability and transparency in the electoral process amid ongoing disputes regarding the accuracy and impartiality of voter registrations.