Manipur: Congress Holds Protest Over Rahul Gandhi’s Detention, Submits Memorandum to Governor
Imphal, July 22: The Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) staged a protest march in Imphal on Wednesday condemning the detention of Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi by the Delhi Police during a demonstration in the national capital. The party also submitted a memorandum to Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla, seeking his intervention on the matter.
The protest, led by MPCC president and former Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh, began from Congress Bhawan and proceeded towards Lok Bhawan, where a delegation of Congress leaders met the Governor and handed over their memorandum.
The delegation included Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Keisham Meghachandra Singh, Congress Working Committee (CWC) member Gaikhangam, senior MLAs, and several other party leaders.
Hundreds of Congress workers and supporters participated in the rally, raising slogans in support of Rahul Gandhi and alleging that his detention reflected an assault on democratic values and the right to peaceful protest.
Speaking to reporters after meeting the Governor, Okram Ibobi Singh said Rahul Gandhi was detained by the Delhi Police while participating in a peaceful demonstration near the Prime Minister’s residence alongside Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and other senior Congress leaders.
According to the MPCC, the protest in New Delhi was organised to demand accountability from the Central Government over alleged examination paper leaks, irregularities in recruitment and competitive examinations, and police action against students who protested over these issues.
Ibobi Singh termed the detention of Rahul Gandhi and other opposition leaders as “undemocratic and unlawful,” stating that Congress workers, students, and youths in Manipur strongly opposed the police action.
The memorandum submitted to the Governor urged the Central Government to seek the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the alleged examination irregularities. It also demanded a comprehensive discussion in Parliament on paper leaks and issues affecting students across the country.
Additionally, the Congress sought the withdrawal of FIRs registered against students who participated in the protests in Delhi, arguing that peaceful demonstrations are a fundamental democratic right.
The MPCC president stressed that democratic institutions should safeguard citizens’ freedom to express dissent peacefully and urged the Centre to take meaningful steps to address the concerns of students and ensure transparency in the examination system.
