Jaipur, Oct. 12 -- Former Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot on Sunday alleged that the situation in the country was becoming increasingly serious, accusing the government of cracking down on protesters and detaining political leaders, lawyers and people arriving in Delhi from across the country. Describing the situation as resembling a "crackdown" or "clampdown", Gehlot said the Supreme Court opening on a Sunday to hear matters related to the closure of metro services and arrest of lawyers reflected the gravity of the situation. "The situation in the country is becoming extremely serious. The way barricades have been erected ruthlessly in Delhi and people arriving from across the country are being detained at railway stations and allegedly mistreated is incomprehensible. They are our fellow citizens, not outsiders," Gehlot said. Accusing the government of creating an atmosphere of disorder and fear in Delhi, he said concerns were growing over functioning of democratic institutions and judiciary. Citing senior advocate Kapil Sibal and former SC Bar Association president Dushyant Dave, Gehlot said questions were being raised about access to justice and the state of judicial system. "The question is how the country will be saved. Democracy is under threat, and one wonders which direction the country is heading in," he said. BJP state secretary Ekta Agarwal rejected Gehlot's allegations, accusing the Congress of politicising the situation and attempting to portray lawful administrative measures as an attack on democracy. She said Congress should substantiate its claims of voter deletion and police excesses with evidence rather than make sweeping allegations against the government. She added the law and order must be maintained during protests and that allegations of misconduct should be investigated on the basis of facts....