Dramatic face-off near Jantar Mantar. Rahul and Priyanka sit on the road

As arguments between the police, MPs and Congress leaders continue, the situation is rapidly evolving. Leader of the Opposition said that they do not require permission to hold a dharna at Jantar Mantar. DCP Sachin Sharma and senior officers are trying to convince Rahul to end the protest.

On the other hand, Priyanka lay down on the road saying that she would not move. She alleged that they were thrown down. Police urged them not to escalate the situation. Delhi police have brought in female cops and are likely to remove her from there.

Three buses had left with party activists detained by police. Some activists went down the bus, but they were pulled out by police. NSUI activists became a little unruly and police had to detain them and take them away.

Renuka Chowdary criticised the government, saying that it could not protect women but was now “hiding in rat holes”. She said the Congress was the party that had won Independence for the country, adding that “blood runs in us” and that they would continue with the protests.

MPs, including Derek O’Brien and others, have been taken into custody. At one point, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra became angry with the media. “Yeh koi tarika hai?” she shouted at them, before asking, “What are you going here for? Go and ask the government.”

A heated exchange ensued between an ACP-rank police officer, as he was asking him to vacate the place, and Rahul Gandhi refusing to do so.