Rahul Gandhi and other leaders of the main opposition Congress party were dragged away by police while staging a sit-in and picketing outside Prime Minister Narendra Modi's residence.
Gandhi demanded that Prime Minister Modi resign, accusing him of destroying the future of India's youth. The demand follows a police crackdown against student protests calling for reforms in the education system.
The incident occurred after thousands gathered for a demonstration in New Delhi, where police reported that 60 protesters were injured in a crackdown. Gandhi's detention took place a day after dozens of youth protesters had already been arrested.