Akashvani Bhavan Becomes Protest Hub As Rahul Gandhi Stages Six-Hour Dharna

The historic Akashvani Bhavan campus, home to All India Radio, turned into an unexpected political protest site on Tuesday as Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi staged a dharna for more than six hours as part of the Opposition’s protest against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar.

According to Opposition leaders, the initial plan was to march from Parliament House to Nirvachan Sadan, the headquarters of the Election Commission of India (ECI). However, after Delhi Police stopped the march near Akashvani Bhavan, Gandhi and other senior Congress leaders decided to continue their demonstration from the campus.

Later, a large number of Delhi Police personnel detained Gandhi and several other Opposition leaders from the premises.

As police began detaining the protesters, Gandhi and Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra slipped through an iron gate that had been left open for Akashvani staff. The two then sat under a large banyan tree on the campus.

Congress general secretary KC Venugopal, party MP Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, and leaders Manish Chatrath and BV Srinivas were among those who joined the protest.

For nearly six hours, until Delhi Police forcibly detained Gandhi and other leaders, the northern Akashvani campus served as the centre of the Opposition’s demonstration, effectively shifting the protest away from Sansad Marg.

Senior Congress leaders said Sansad Marg has witnessed numerous protests and political marches over the years, but Gandhi’s decision to move into the Akashvani Bhavan campus inadvertently turned the premises into a temporary political protest platform.

However, the campus is unlikely to be used for similar demonstrations in the future. A senior official said Gandhi had “taken advantage of the gate that was left open” for Akashvani staff.

“In future, we have to ensure no such misuse of the Akashvani Bhavan,” the official said.

Built in the 1940s, Akashvani Bhavan’s semi-circular main building has heritage status. The premises house several sections of All India Radio, including its news service, drama and FM divisions.