Chandigarh Police detained Haryana Congress leaders and MLAs on Tuesday as they marched towards the Haryana Governor's residence. The protest was organized to demand the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Congress leaders detained during protest march in Chandigarh
According to The Tribune, as many as 20 leaders were detained in Sector 9 while marching towards the Haryana Governor's residence (Raj Bhavan). The detained leaders included state in-charge Sanjay Dutt and state president Rao Narender Singh.
The Congress leaders were taken in two different buses by the police. Some Congress MLAs, led by Ashok Arora, refused to board the police bus and staged a sit-in on the road. Police later forcibly removed them and escorted them onto the bus.
Why Congress leaders were protesting
The protest was aimed at the Haryana Governor's residence, where the leaders planned to submit their demand for the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The Congress party has been critical of the minister's performance and policies.
"Chandigarh Police barricades stopped Congress MLA's who are heading towards Chief Minister's house for warning. Congress MLA's now on non..." — WION News (Facebook)
Police action and response
The detention was carried out peacefully, though some MLAs resisted. Police used force only when the MLAs refused to cooperate and staged a sit-in on the road. The detained leaders were taken away in buses.
Our Take: Political protests and police action in Chandigarh
This incident highlights the ongoing political tensions in Haryana. While protests are a democratic right, the police action shows the government's firm stance against what it sees as unlawful assemblies. In our view, both sides need to find a balance — the Congress party has the right to protest, but it must follow legal procedures. The use of force, even when minimal, raises questions about how dissent is managed in the state. For now, the detention has temporarily stopped the protest, but the political issue remains unresolved.
