New Delhi: With the INDIA bloc set to march to the Supreme Court on Monday, Lok Sabha Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi has intensified his party’s campaign against the Election Commission, calling on citizens and Opposition forces to assemble in Delhi for what Congress leaders describe as a defence of democracy, ANI reported.
The march will proceed despite Chief Justice of India Surya Kant turning down the Opposition MPs’ request for a meeting to discuss the issue.
Gandhi announced that he would address the media before the demonstration and urged wider participation through a post on X: “March for Democracy. March for Justice. Chalo Dilli.”
The protest is scheduled to move from Connaught Place towards the Supreme Court this afternoon, with the INDIA bloc demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and raising concerns over alleged irregularities in the electoral process.
Leaders Frame March As Citizens’ Movement
Congress MP Imran Masood linked the demonstration to the Chief Justice of India’s decision not to meet Rahul Gandhi and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge for the submission of a memorandum. He said the response had prompted the party to take its demand to the streets.
“We have scheduled a protest. Everyone will abide by whatever directive the party issues. People are coming out on their own; everywhere it is a spontaneous movement,” Masood said.
Fellow Congress MP Jebi Mather sought to present the march as an assertion by ordinary citizens rather than a partisan event.
“We will march to the Supreme Court—not as a political party, individuals, men, women, or belonging to any state, caste, religion, or creed, but as citizens who believe democracy needs to be protected. Rahul Gandhi, India Bloc leaders, and others are approaching every institution and authority in the streets… Today will be marked in golden letters as a protest of a magnitude that Delhi has never witnessed,” she said.
Delhi On High Alert
Security has been substantially tightened across central Delhi. Barricades have come up at key points, while personnel from the Delhi Police, CRPF and Rapid Action Force have been deployed in large numbers.
Entry and exit at the Patel Chowk, Janpath, Rajiv Chowk, Mandi House, Central Secretariat and Barakhamba Road metro stations will remain shut until 4 pm on Monday.
Mather alleged that the restrictions were intended to obstruct protesters.
“The police—coming under Home Minister Amit Shah—are ignoring the Supreme Court’s clear ruling that metros should not be shut, and are taking every step to stop people by closing metro stations, altering routes, and gathering large numbers of police and CRPF forces, we remain undeterred,” she said.
Congress MP Gaddam Vamsi Krishna accused the BJP of targeting young and first-time voters.
“It clearly shows that the BJP is against the youth, the Gen Z of this country. They are unable to win the vote of the first-timers. That is why they have introduced Form 6. SIR was brought in to delete names of new voters. We will fight against this,” he said.
Gandhi Seeks Wider Support
Rahul Gandhi appealed to students, civil society groups and Opposition parties to join the march.
“12th October, India marches peacefully as one to the Supreme Court. Students, civil society organisations, Opposition parties: Please join us to defend our democracy,” he said.
He further alleged that, during an earlier demonstration seeking Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation, Delhi Police personnel and BJP workers had resorted to violence against students and women.