New Delhi, October 7, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Congress MP Imran Masood on Tuesday criticised the detention and subsequent release of Opposition leaders during protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, alleging that the central government was weakening democratic institutions.
Speaking to IANS, Masood said arrests and protests were a natural part of democratic life but alleged that attempts to undermine democracy were unacceptable.
“I also fell ill last night, and we returned at 10 p.m. In a democracy, arrests and protests are not unusual; they are a natural part of democratic life. But the work being done to destroy democracy is intolerable. If we remain silent today, future generations will not forgive us,” he said.
Masood demanded the resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar, alleging that the credibility of the Election Commission had been severely damaged. He claimed public trust in the institution had eroded and alleged that those responsible had no moral right to remain in office.
On the Opposition’s protests over alleged “vote theft” and its criticism of Gyanesh Kumar, Masood said the awareness generated by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi had developed into a mass movement.
“The awareness ignited by Rahul Gandhi has now become a storm and a hurricane. Everyone will be blown away like leaves in this storm,” he said, claiming that the protests would spread across the country.
Responding to the BJP’s claim that 13 crore names were only marked in the draft voter list and had not been deleted, Masood alleged that millions of people had effectively been deprived of their right to vote.
“You did not remove the names, but listed them as ineligible to vote. You deprived them of their right to vote,” he alleged, further claiming that the government was formed with fewer votes than the number of people allegedly deprived of their voting rights.
Taking aim at the BJP’s nationwide ‘Seva Jyoti Yatra’ marking Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 25 years in public life, Masood alleged that the country had lost more than it had gained during the current government’s tenure.
He also alleged that India’s global credibility had declined and that respect for constitutional institutions and their impartiality had eroded.
Citing Pakistan, Masood warned against politics based on communalism and hatred. He argued that such politics could lead to destruction rather than prosperity and said that communalism ultimately affects everyone.
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