Congress, which has been at odds with the Centre, about the price rise and the hike in the Goods and Services Tax (GST), held a mass protest against price rise, unemployment, and the GST hike on essential items today.

The opposition party has also been demanding a discussion in both houses of Parliament on these issues. Congress MPs have been staging protests both inside and outside Parliament in the ongoing Monsoon Session on these issues.

The party marched to the Rashtrapati Bhawan and Congress MPs were detained in this attempt. This also comes in the backdrop of the recent raids by the Enforcement Directorate at the Herald House and 12 other locations in connection with the National Herald money laundering case.

Here are the latest updates from the protest:

#We were detained in an undemocratic way: Congress leader Sachin Pilot

"We were kept locked for the whole day, we wanted to have discussions in the House. By fixing the accountability of govt, it is our responsibility to question them. The way we were detained in an undemocratic way is not a good sign," says Congress leader Sachin Pilot

#Congress protest insult to Ram Bhakts: Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath

"Until now, Congress was protesting in normal attire, but today they protested wearing black clothes. It's an insult to all the Ram Bhakts. They chose this day as today is Ayodhya Diwas which marks the beginning of the construction of Ram Janambhoomi," says UP CM Yogi Adityanath.

#WATCH | Until now, Congress was protesting in normal attire but today they protested wearing black clothes. It's an insult to all the Ram Bhakts. They chose this day as today is Ayodhya Diwas which marks the beginning of the construction of Ram Janambhoomi: UP CM Yogi Adityanath pic.twitter.com/1WzhcClyzD

— ANI (@ANI) August 5, 2022

#Congress should be responsible & cooperate as per the law, says Union Home Minister Amit Shah

"Congress chose this day for protest and wore black clothes because they want to give a subtle message to further promote their appeasement politics because on this day itself PM Modi laid the foundation of Ram Janambhoomi... Congress should be responsible & must co-operate as per the law. The matter is going on the basis of complaints that have been filed. As far as ED is concerned, everybody should respect the law and order situation in the country," says Union Home minister Amit Shah

#WATCH | Congress chose this day for protest and wore black clothes because they want to give a subtle message to further promote their appeasement politics because on this day itself Prime Minister Modi laid the foundation of Ram Janambhoomi: Union Home minister Amit Shah pic.twitter.com/hopwRSPZht

— ANI (@ANI) August 5, 2022

#335 protestors, including 65 MPs detained: Delhi polic

Congress supporters organised a protest in Delhi today. Orders under Section 144 CrPC are also in force in Delhi. The protestors tried to obstruct the police officers from performing their duties, manhandled and injured them. Appropriate legal action is being taken. As many as 335 protestors, including 65 MPs, have been detained under 65 Delhi Police Act in order to maintain law & order in the area. Intimation about detention of MPs/MLAs is being sent to the respective competent authorities: Delhi Police

#In Photos | Congress protests against inflation & unemployment; over 200 leaders detained

#If the government won't allow us to have a discussion we will come out on the roads: Congress MP

"We want to discuss unemployment in the Parliament & appeal to the government to control inflation and take back the Agnipath scheme. If they won't allow us to discuss then we'll come on the roads. The Centre should make police line instead of a new Parliament, and also make a new ED office in the Parliament building, if they want to detain MPs when the Parliament is functioning," says Congress MP Deepender Hooda at New Police Lines Kingsway camp police station while being detained by the Delhi police.

#Rajasthan: Congress workers and leaders stage a protest in Jodhpur against the Centre over the inflation and unemployment issues

Rajasthan | Congress leaders and workers hold a protest against the Central govt in Jodhpur over the issues of unemployment & inflation pic.twitter.com/uiQ8tYAVoA

— ANI MP/CG/Rajasthan (@ANI_MP_CG_RJ) August 5, 2022

#WATCH | Chandigarh: Water cannon being used by police personnel to disperse the Congress leaders & workers who have been protesting against the Central govt over the issues of inflation & unemployment pic.twitter.com/j8jEmQotKo

— ANI (@ANI) August 5, 2022

# Andhra Pradesh: Wearing garlands made of vegetables, Congress workers protest in Vijayawada.

Andhra Pradesh | Wearing garlands made of vegetables, Congress workers in Vijayawada protest against the Central government over the issues of price rise and unemployment pic.twitter.com/qndf6nsYxN

— ANI (@ANI) August 5, 2022

# Congress MPs march from Parliament to Rashtrapati Bhavan to protest against inflation and unemployment.

#WATCH | Delhi: Congress MPs begin their march from Parliament to Rashtrapati Bhavan to register their protest over inflation and unemployment. Rahul Gandhi also joined the march. pic.twitter.com/f8JfYII2zZ

— ANI (@ANI) August 5, 2022

# Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge wears a black kurta and turban in protest against price rise and unemployment.

Delhi | Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge wears a black kurta and turban in protest against price rise and unemployment pic.twitter.com/bWs2AxMweI

— ANI (@ANI) August 5, 2022

# On Prime Minister Narendra Modi winning elections, Gandhi compares the former to Adolf Hitler. "Hitler had also won elections, he too used to win elections. How did he use to do it? He had control of all of Germany's institutions...Give me the entire system, then I will show you how elections are won," Gandhi says.

# Congress leader Rahul Gandhi hits out at Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman saying she has zero understanding of India's economy. "I think the macroeconomic fundamentals that she is talking about is something else. I don't think the Finance Minister has any understanding of what is going on in the economy of India, zero understanding. She is there as a mouthpiece," Gandhi adds.

# Congress MP Rahul Gandhi addresses a press conference ahead of the protest. He says India is witnessing the death of democracy and the government is being run by two people.

"We're witnessing the death of democracy. What India has built brick by brick, starting almost a century ago, is being destroyed in front of your eyes. Anybody who stands against this idea of onset of dictatorship is viciously attacked, jailed, arrested & beaten up," says Gandhi.

He adds that the government's agenda is not to raise people's issues - whether price rise, unemployment, or violence in society. "The government is being run to protect the interest of four-five people and this dictatorship is being run in the interest of two-three big business people by two people," says Gandhi.

# Security beefed up at Vijay Chowk in New Delhi.

Delhi | Police officials brief security personnel at Vijay Chowk, ahead of Congress' nationwide protest over unemployment & inflation

Congress announced that the party MPs will hold "Chalo Rashtrapati Bhavan" from Parliament & senior leaders will participate in "PM House gherao" pic.twitter.com/fn0mebTM6y— ANI (@ANI) August 5, 2022

# Section 144 CrPC imposed in the entire area of New Delhi district, except Jantar Mantar.

Delhi | Congress to hold a nationwide protest today over unemployment & inflation.

Visuals from Akbar Road where barricades put up & Police present as workers start arriving near the party office.Sec 144 CrPC imposed in entire area of New Delhi district, except Jantar Mantar. pic.twitter.com/oQfFmgnuPk— ANI (@ANI) August 5, 2022

(Edited by : Priyanka Rathi)

First Published:Aug 5, 2022 9:44 AM IST