By Mohammad Tarique Saleem
In a dramatic turn of events at the heart of India’s democracy today, Samajwadi Party (SP) chief Akhilesh Yadav emerged as a central figure in the Opposition’s united protest against the Centre’s alleged misuse of authority and the Election Commission’s perceived bias. The protest, staged by INDIA bloc leaders, was triggered by the detention and arrest of nearly 300 Opposition MPs and senior leaders, including Congress’s Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and several top figures from allied parties, as they attempted to march peacefully to the Election Commission of India (ECI) to submit a memorandum against the controversial Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process and alleged voter fraud.
Akhilesh Yadav, standing firmly with fellow Opposition leaders, condemned the detentions and arrests as an “attack on democracy” and a blatant attempt to silence elected representatives. He asserted that the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was using every means to suppress the Opposition because it feared accountability. “This is not just about one election. It is about protecting the Constitution, the principle of one person, one vote, and the rights of every citizen,” Yadav stated, stressing that the SP would continue to resist any move that undermines electoral integrity.
The SP chief’s strong words came amid scenes of high drama, with MPs from the Congress, Trinamool Congress (TMC), Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), Shiv Sena (UBT) and other INDIA bloc parties alleging that they were manhandled by police. Several women MPs reportedly fainted, including Congress MP Sanjana Jatav, who was rushed to RML Hospital. The arrests of Priyanka Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi added fuel to the Opposition’s outrage, with leaders accusing the government of crossing constitutional limits.
Rahul Gandhi, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, echoed Yadav’s sentiments, declaring, “They are scared of the truth. This fight is not political anymore, it is for the Constitution.” TMC’s Sagarika Ghose criticised the government for using force against peaceful protesters, while RJD’s Misa Bharti questioned the ECI’s refusal to meet MPs: “Why are they afraid to face elected representatives?” Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Sanjay Raut alleged a “conspiracy” to disrupt Parliament’s functioning, accusing the government of intentionally preventing dialogue with the ECI.
The BJP, however, dismissed the Opposition’s allegations, claiming that the Congress and its allies “want to create anarchy in the country.” Union Minister Kiren Rijiju accused the INDIA bloc of “not believing in the Constitution,” asserting that their actions were politically motivated. The Election Commission maintained that Rahul Gandhi still had time to submit proof of his “vote theft” claims or issue an apology. The Commission’s stance drew further criticism from the Opposition, which accused it of functioning under government pressure.
For Akhilesh Yadav, the episode reinforced his positioning as one of the most vocal champions of democratic values within the INDIA alliance. His presence at the forefront of the protest, coupled with his unequivocal statements, highlighted the SP’s commitment to safeguarding electoral fairness. Yadav emphasised that unity among Opposition parties was the only way to counter what he described as the BJP’s “autocratic tendencies.” As Parliament reconvenes, the standoff between the government and the Opposition is set to intensify, with Akhilesh Yadav signalling that the battle for the Constitution and voters’ rights will continue both inside and outside the House.
