Scores of Youth Congress workers who assembled at Jantar Mantar agitating against the alleged growing "intolerance" in the country, have been detained. Demanding that the Prime Minister break his silence on the issue, the activists marched towards the Parliament for a "Sansad Gherao", following which the police used water canons to disperse them midway. According to police officials, around 250 protestors were detained and taken to Parliament Street police station. 

COMMERCIAL BREAK
SCROLL TO CONTINUE READING

The agitating workers were earlier addressed by Congress MP Jyotiraditya Scindia who accused the BJP-led NDA government of failing to contain the issue of rising intolerance in the country. "The atmosphere of intolerance has been created by BJP and we have to get rid of it. Their ministers and MPs are making irresponsible comments and they are silent. Their Assam Governor says that India is for Hindus and Muslims can go to Pakistan or Syria...they are forgetting that India is a united country," he said in his address.

Scindia had also alleged that the NDA government has moved from "chai pe charcha" to "gai (cow) pe charcha" and demanded that PM Narendra Modi break his silence on the issue.

Indian Youth Congress' national president Amarinder Singh Raja Brar, who was also among those detained, said, "intolerance will not be tolerated, PM Modi should speak up on this issue and should tell the people how his government will handle the growing intolerant environment in the country." "There should have been an appropriate action against those leaders who have repeatedly fuelled the issue with their comments," he added.

The protesters also targeted the government for the price hike of essential commodities as well, especially onions and potatoes. Few party workers also alleged that they were injured during the protest.