India, Oct. 15 -- The Congress on Thursday criticised the Modi government over the detention of Ankita Bhandari's parents during a protest near India Gate in New Delhi, describing the action as the "height of cowardice and insensitivity".

The parents of 19-year-old Ankita, who was murdered in Uttarakhand in September 2022, were detained while protesting against the appointment of Dushyant Kumar Gautam as Sikkim governor. They were released around 5 am on Thursday, according to sources.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge accused the government of engaging in what he termed "state-sponsored oppression", alleging that the detention reflected an attempt to evade difficult questions rather than demonstrate strength.

"The height of cowar...