SIR row: What happened in INDIA bloc march? Viral videos show Akhilesh Yadav climbing over barricade, Rahul Gandhi detention

Opposition MPs from the INDIA bloc—including Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and Sharad Pawar—were stopped by Delhi Police on Monday as they marched from Parliament to the Election Commission (EC) headquarters. 

The march protesting the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar and alleged poll rigging began at Parliament’s Makar Dwar with the national anthem, but was halted at Transport Bhawan, where police had set up heavy barricading.

The point behind the march was reportedly to meet two election commissioners and the Chief Election Commissioner. 

“They are using the police to stop us,” declared Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav. In videos that have gone viral since the start of the march, the former UP chief minister can also be seen climbing over a police barricade.

Several other leaders, such as TMC MPs Mahua Moitra and Sushmita Dev, as well as Congress' Sanjana Jatav and Jothimani followed suit, an Indian Express article said.

Several senior INDIA bloc leaders who were part of the march—such as Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Sanjay Raut, and Sagarika Ghose—were also detained by the Delhi police.

Videos circulating on social media also showed Rahul Gandhi talking to reporters as he was detained.

"The reality is that they cannot talk. The truth is in front of the country. This fight is not political. This fight is to save the Constitution. This fight is for One Man, One Vote. We want a clean, pure voters list," he said quickly from the window of a police bus.

Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, had earlier announced that he would host a dinner for the INDIA bloc MPs at the Hotel Taj Palace in Chanakyapuri.

India