BJP Mahila Morcha protests at Congress HQ over Rahul Gandhi 'misconduct' with woman cop
Synopsis
What began as an INDIA bloc agitation against the Chief Election Commissioner has exploded into a fresh political battle: the BJP Mahila Morcha is now at the Congress's doorstep demanding Rahul Gandhi apologise for allegedly manhandling a woman police officer — charges Congress flatly denies. With an FIR filed and video footage under police scrutiny, the controversy is far from over.
Key Takeaways
BJP Mahila Morcha protested near Congress headquarters on DDU Marg, New Delhi on 8 October 2026 .
The protest targeted Rahul Gandhi over allegations of misconduct with a woman police officer during the 7 October INDIA bloc demonstration.
The BJP also accused Priyanka Gandhi Vadra of assaulting a woman police officer; both allegations have been rejected by Congress .
Delhi Police has registered an FIR against Rahul Gandhi , Priyanka Gandhi Vadra , and others, and is examining video footage.
Approximately 90–91 opposition leaders and MPs, including the Gandhi siblings, were detained on 7 October .
The original protests were against CEC Gyanesh Kumar and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
The Delhi Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Mahila Morcha staged a demonstration near the Congress headquarters on Deendayal Upadhyaya (DDU) Marg on Thursday, 8 October 2026, demanding a public apology from Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi over allegations that he misbehaved with a woman police officer during the INDIA bloc protest in New Delhi. The protest marks a sharp escalation in the political fallout from clashes that unfolded on 6 and 7 October.
What Sparked the Controversy
The allegations stem from an INDIA bloc demonstration held in the capital on 6 and 7 October, during which opposition MPs and leaders gathered to demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar and to raise objections to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Delhi Police erected barricades to prevent demonstrators from advancing, leading to a confrontation.
During the 7 October protest, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and approximately 90–91 other leaders and Members of Parliament were detained by police. Videos from the confrontation subsequently circulated widely.
The BJP's Allegations
The BJP alleged that footage from the confrontation shows Rahul Gandhi pushing and touching a woman police officer in an inappropriate manner while attempting to cross police barricades. BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari also shared the footage on social media, making similar allegations.
Separately, the BJP accused Priyanka Gandhi Vadra of elbowing and punching a woman police officer, and alleged that some Congress workers assaulted police personnel during the confrontation. The party framed the issue as one concerning the dignity of women and respect for police personnel — not merely a political dispute.
Congress Rejects the Charges
The allegations have been strongly rejected by the Congress. The party's counter-narrative holds that Rahul Gandhi was attempting to shield women Congress workers from police action, and that Delhi Police used force against peaceful protesters.
Police Action and the FIR
Delhi Police has registered an FIR against Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and others in connection with the protest, invoking provisions related to obstructing government officials and allegedly assaulting police personnel. Investigators are currently examining mobile-phone recordings and other video footage as part of the probe.
The Protest Outside Congress HQ
At Thursday's demonstration, women protesters carrying BJP flags, banners, and placards raised slogans against Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, demanding a public apology. Tensions escalated when BJP Mahila Morcha workers allegedly broke the police-designated route and began marching towards Indira Bhawan. Police personnel were deployed to block further movement, and some demonstrators sat on the road as part of their demonstration. The confrontation underscores how a protest originally targeting the Election Commission has now pivoted into a direct political clash over the conduct of senior opposition figures.
Point of View
Framing the controversy in terms of women's dignity rather than political rivalry, a harder frame for Congress to rebut. The FIR adds legal weight that could outlast the news cycle. Yet the credibility of the allegations ultimately rests on what the video footage actually shows — and police examining that footage rather than independent investigators means the evidentiary process itself is politically contested. Congress's counter-claim that Gandhi was shielding women workers from police force points to a narrative war playing out in parallel to the legal one. What risks being lost is the original question: whether the SIR process and the conduct of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar warranted this level of opposition mobilisation in the first place.
NationPress
8 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the BJP Mahila Morcha's protest about?
The BJP Mahila Morcha protested near the Congress headquarters on DDU Marg in New Delhi on 8 October, demanding that Rahul Gandhi publicly apologise for allegedly misbehaving with a woman police officer during the INDIA bloc demonstration on 7 October. The party framed the issue as one of women's dignity and respect for police personnel.
What happened during the INDIA bloc protest on 7 October?
Opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, gathered in New Delhi to demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and to protest the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. Delhi Police erected barricades, leading to a confrontation in which approximately 90–91 leaders and MPs, including the Gandhi siblings, were detained.
What are the specific allegations against Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra?
The BJP alleges that video footage shows Rahul Gandhi pushing and inappropriately touching a woman police officer while trying to cross barricades. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra is separately accused of elbowing and punching a woman police officer. Both allegations have been strongly denied by Congress, which claims Gandhi was trying to protect women Congress workers from police action.
Has an FIR been filed in connection with the protest?
Yes. Delhi Police has registered an FIR against Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and others, citing provisions related to obstructing government officials and allegedly assaulting police personnel. Police are currently reviewing mobile-phone recordings and video footage as part of their investigation.
Why were the opposition leaders protesting in the first place?
The INDIA bloc demonstration on 6 and 7 October was directed against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, whose resignation the opposition was demanding, and against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, which opposition parties have questioned.
