Hansi: On Wednesday, Hansi police detained Congress leader Rahul Makkar—who had previously contested the assembly election from Hansi—along with his supporters at Geeta Chowk. They were on their way to participate in a planned protest at Delhi's Jantar Mantar regarding the issue of paper leaks. Following the police action, they were taken to the police station. Meanwhile, reports indicate that other Congress leaders in Hansi were also placed under house arrest as a precautionary measure.
It is reported that Rahul Makkar was setting out for Delhi with his supporters to join the protest at Jantar Mantar when the police intercepted them en route. This action was taken in anticipation of a large number of party workers from Haryana marching to Delhi for the Congress party's proposed demonstration.
While being detained, Congress workers raised slogans of "Inquilab Zindabad" (Long Live the Revolution) and chanted anti-government slogans. Rahul Makkar stated that it was inappropriate to stop people who were intending to register their protest in a democratic manner. He asked, "Why were we stopped? Are we criminals or convicts?" He alleged that there was an attempt to suppress the voice of the opposition.
Rahul Makkar stated that the objective of the proposed protest was to raise issues concerning the recurring paper leak incidents and the future of students at the national level. He alleged that the repeated paper leak incidents were undermining the hard work of lakhs of youths and their parents, and that the government had failed to take effective action on this serious problem.
Dismissing allegations that students were being used for political gain, he asserted that raising the voices of the youth and students is the responsibility of the opposition in a democratic system. He claimed that the youth are aware of their rights and future and will continue to struggle democratically to demand justice.
However, the police have not issued any official statement regarding this action. Meanwhile, Congress workers have criticized the government, describing the move as a violation of democratic rights.