BJP MPs Bansuri Swaraj, Raksha Khadse detained during protest march to Rahul Gandhi's residence

While union minister Raksha Khadse and BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj were detained during the protest.

Updated on: Apr 18, 2026, 22:54:12 IST

By HT News Desk

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

Three BJP MPs, including Bansuri Swaraj, were detained by Delhi Police personnel during a protest march to the Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's residence, a day after the Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill failed to pass in Lok Sabha.

Union minister Raksha Khadse and BJP MP Bansuri Swaraj were detained by Delhi Police. (ANI)

Union MoS Raksha Khadse, BJP MPs Bansuri Swaraj and Kamaljeet Sehrawat and several other party leaders were detained during the protest by Delhi Police personnel, ANI news agency reported.

Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva was also detained.

According to a PTI report, BJP MPs Hema Malini, Bansuri Swaraj, Manju Sharma, and Vatsalya Gupta also participated in the protest.

Delhi chief minister Rekha Gupta, BJP state chief Virendra Sachdeva, MP Manoj Tiwari and party women cadre also joined the protest.

The protestors gathered at Moti Lal Nehru Marg, torched an effigy of Rahul Gandhi and tried to reach his residence when the police used water cannon to disperse them.

After burning the effigy, the protestors tried to reach the Congress leader's residence when the police used water cannon to disperse them and detained several leaders.

The protestors were then taken to Parliament Street police station, BJP's state unit said in a statement.

However, Rahul Gandhi was not present at his residence at the time of the protest. The Congress leader was attending a poll rally in Tamil Nadu.

The protest comes a day after the Constitution Amendment Bill, which was part of the delimitation package, failed to clear the Lok Sabha amid a united front by the Opposition. While 298 members voted in favour of the bill, 230 voted against it. A two-thirds majority was required to clear the bill.

Congress has clarified that it does not oppose the women's reservation but the delimitation process linked to the bill, which seeks to increase the seats in the Lok Sabha to 815, disproportionately lowering the share of Southern states in the Parliament.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to address the nation at 8:30 pm today. He is likely to speak about the collapse of the 131st Constitution Amendment Bill, targeting opposition over their decision.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

Rahul Gandhi

Get the latest India News, breaking headlines and real-time updates from across the country. Stay informed about politics, government policies, crime, weather and major national developments.