Rahul Gandhi, Shashi Tharoor detained amid Congress protest against inflation

Several Congress MPs including Rahul Gandhi and Shashi Tharoor were detained by Delhi Police during a protest against the Central government on price rise, unemployment, and GST hike on essential items. The Congress MPs were marching towards the Rashtrapati Bhawan from the Parliament.

Led by party chief Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, Congress MPs today wore black clothes in Parliament to protest against the rising prices and unemployment.

Congress MP Rajeev Shukla said that protesters are not being allowed to march to Rashtrapati Bhavan

"We were trying to march to Rashtrapati Bhavan but the police has stopped us. They say that Section 144 CrPC is imposed and they are not allowing us to protest. All MPs will offer themselves for arrest. We are trying to march ahead. We are fighting for the issues of people," he said, as quoted by ANI.

Lok Sabha proceedings were adjourned till noon on Friday following strong Opposition protests, particularly by Congress members who came to the House to voice their protests against the Enforcement Directorate on their leaders.

Ahead of the protest, Rahul Gandhi said, "We're 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 idea of onset of dictatorship is viciously attacked, jailed, arrested, and beaten up."

Gandhi claimed that the sole agenda of the government is that people's issues such as price rise, unemployment, and violence in society must not be raised.

The BJP hit back, asking if there is "democracy" in the Congress, which has been labelled a dynastic party.

The Delhi traffic police has issued an advisory saying the traffic movement will be affected in parts of Lutyens' Delhi.

Delhi police say special arrangements have been made and diversions will be suggested as per expected spots of congestion on major roads.

Congress has been continuously raising questions against the price rise and the hike in the Goods and Service Tax (GST). Congress MPs have been staging protests both inside and outside Parliament on these issues.