Indian opposition leaders detained in protests against inflation, unemployment

By Shuriah Niazi

NEW DELHI (AA) – Top leaders and several lawmakers belonging to India’s main opposition Indian National Congress party were detained on Friday during nationwide protests against a range of issues, including inflation and unemployment.

Addressing the protest rallies, the opposition leaders condemned the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for rising prices and unemployment in the country.

Senior party leaders Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, and Shashi Tharoor are the prominent leaders detained during a rally marching to Rashtrapati Bhawan (President’s House) against the policies of the federal government.

Police have also arrested many other members of the parliament, tightened security in several places, and imposed prohibitory orders across the New Delhi area.

Party workers also clashed with security personnel at their headquarters in New Delhi and the police did not allow them to proceed toward the President's House.

Congress party chief Sonia Gandhi also protested at the parliament along with the party’s women MPs.

Earlier, addressing a news conference, Rahul Gandhi said India is no longer a democracy, but a dictatorship.

He said: “India is witnessing the death of democracy. What India has built brick by brick, starting almost a century ago, is being destroyed in front of your eyes. Anybody who stands against this dictatorship is viciously attacked, jailed, arrested, and beaten up.”

Protests were also organized in every state capital of the country by party leaders and workers.