Imphal: The Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) on Wednesday organised a protest march in Imphal over the detention of Lok Sabha Opposition Leader Rahul Gandhi by Delhi Police during a demonstration in New Delhi.
The party, led by MPCC president and former Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh, also submitted a memorandum to Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla, requesting his intervention.
The protest started from Congress Bhawan and moved towards Lok Bhawan, where a Congress delegation met the Governor and submitted its representation.
The delegation included Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Keisham Meghachandra Singh, Congress Working Committee (CWC) member Gaikhangam, senior MLAs and other party leaders.
Congress workers and supporters gathered in large numbers during the march, raising slogans in support of Rahul Gandhi and protesting against what they termed an attack on democratic rights.
After meeting the Governor, Ibobi Singh told reporters that Rahul Gandhi was detained by Delhi Police while taking part in a peaceful demonstration near the Prime Minister’s residence along with Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and other senior leaders.
The MPCC chief said the New Delhi protest was organised to demand accountability from the Central Government over alleged examination paper leaks, irregularities in competitive examinations and the police action against students who had raised concerns over these issues.
Ibobi Singh described the detention of Rahul Gandhi and other opposition leaders as “undemocratic and unlawful” and said Congress workers, students and youths in Manipur had opposed the police action.
The memorandum submitted by the MPCC to the Governor sought the Central Government’s intervention for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over alleged examination irregularities.
It also called for a detailed discussion in Parliament on paper leaks and student-related issues, along with the withdrawal of FIRs filed against students who participated in the Delhi protests.
Ibobi Singh said democratic institutions must protect citizens’ ability to express dissent through peaceful means and asked the Centre to take responsibility for resolving issues affecting students nationwide.