Dhruv Rathee calls for protest in London's Parliament Square - 'Time world sees reality of vote chor'

YouTuber Dhruv Rathee has called for a protest in London’s Parliament Square on Saturday, October 17, against the alleged “choir vote” and threat to Indian democracy.

Rathee was recently detained at his home in Gurugram hours before the October 10 protest in Delhi against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar. However, the YouTuber claimed he was “kidnapped”.

Protest call in London

“I have just arrived in London,” Rathee wrote in X’s post, calling on his supporters to gather in front of the Mahatma Gandhi statue at 12:00 p.m.

In a strongly worded post, Rathee wrote, “Time for the world to see the reality of the electoral chora and the killer of democracy. International danka bajane ka time aa gaya hai.”

“Join the protest tomorrow in front of the Mahatma Gandhi statue in Parliament Square at 12 noon if you are here,” he said. “Jai Hind”

‘abducted’

After he was released from custody, Dhruv Rathee claimed that he was “kidnapped” by about 20 people from his house at around 7am, who took him to several police stations. He also claimed that the group took him away before he could find out their identities or ask why they had come.

“I wasn’t detained, I was kidnapped,” he said, recounting the incident and fielding questions about the manner in which he was taken from his residence.

Rathee also showed his Indian passport in a video to reaffirm his Indian citizenship amid speculation. He also refuted allegations that he had no intention of participating in the protest.

Why did Dhruv Rathee call for a protest in London?

The call for this international demonstration comes amid escalating political unrest in Delhi, where opposition parties and civil rights groups are protesting alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

The domestic agitation has intensified recently, marked by demands for the resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar and clashes between protesters and the Delhi Police, after which Jantar Mantar was designated as the designated protest site.

Neha Bora, Abhijeet Dipke detained

All India Students Association (AISA) president Neha Bora was released early on Saturday while Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke will be produced before a Special Executive Magistrate (SEM), Delhi Police said.

Both were taken into remand ahead of the ‘Lehra Do Tiranga’ protest march at Delhi’s Connaught Place Central Park on Friday.

Bora was detained at Mandi House while Dipke was detained at Jhandewalan when they were on their way to Connaught Place, police sources told PTI.