Leaders of the opposition INDIA bloc marched through central Delhi on Monday in a major show of protest against the Election Commission, with Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi heading the 'Chalo Delhi - March for Democracy' rally as it moved from the Barakhamba Road area toward the Supreme Court, demanding the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Slogans Against the Poll Panel
Bloc MPs converged at the Constitution Club of India, raising slogans against the CEC, before beginning the march through Connaught Place. Security personnel were deployed in strength across Janpath and nearby areas, and entry and exit at some Delhi Metro stations remained closed between 6 AM and 4 PM for security reasons. Chief Justice of India Surya Kant declined a meeting with the bloc leaders, citing separation of powers, and said democratic activities must continue smoothly but cannot obstruct the Supreme Court's functioning.
Ahead of the march, Rahul Gandhi told the media that a public movement had been building in the capital over the past four to five days against alleged 'vote chori' and for the CEC's removal. He announced that INDIA bloc leaders would file a petition against Gyanesh Kumar in the Supreme Court. During his address, Gandhi claimed that 200 officers within the government were passing information to the opposition, that half the police personnel privately supported the protest, and that the police had been ordered to beat up young people.
Sharp Pushback
The BJP pushed back hard. BJP MP Anurag Thakur dismissed Gandhi as a politician always looking for someone to blame, while Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan accused the Congress of trying to create anarchy to come to power. RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav alleged a lathicharge had been carried out and claimed 'RSS goons' had been deployed, allegations the authorities have not confirmed.
A Tense Day for the Capital
The march unfolded amid tight security and shifting protest rules. Jantar Mantar has been denotified as a designated protest site, with three new venues - Ramlila Ground, Burari Ground and CBD Ground in East Delhi - designated instead. Co-conveners of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), a separate protest movement, submitted a letter to the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Parliament Street, seeking permission to protest at Jantar Mantar. Separately, Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy led a protest against the CEC at Telangana Bhavan, and a case was registered against Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Aaditya Thackeray and MNS leader Amit Thackeray over a protest at Mumbai's Shivaji Park.
Sources:
INDIA Bloc protest live updates: Rahul Gandhi-led INDIA bloc march to Supreme Court begins - The Economic Times
Today News Headlines for School Assembly, October 12, 2026 - The Indian Express
Slogans Against the Poll Panel
Bloc MPs converged at the Constitution Club of India, raising slogans against the CEC, before beginning the march through Connaught Place. Security personnel were deployed in strength across Janpath and nearby areas, and entry and exit at some Delhi Metro stations remained closed between 6 AM and 4 PM for security reasons. Chief Justice of India Surya Kant declined a meeting with the bloc leaders, citing separation of powers, and said democratic activities must continue smoothly but cannot obstruct the Supreme Court's functioning.
Ahead of the march, Rahul Gandhi told the media that a public movement had been building in the capital over the past four to five days against alleged 'vote chori' and for the CEC's removal. He announced that INDIA bloc leaders would file a petition against Gyanesh Kumar in the Supreme Court. During his address, Gandhi claimed that 200 officers within the government were passing information to the opposition, that half the police personnel privately supported the protest, and that the police had been ordered to beat up young people.
Sharp Pushback
The BJP pushed back hard. BJP MP Anurag Thakur dismissed Gandhi as a politician always looking for someone to blame, while Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan accused the Congress of trying to create anarchy to come to power. RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav alleged a lathicharge had been carried out and claimed 'RSS goons' had been deployed, allegations the authorities have not confirmed.
A Tense Day for the Capital
The march unfolded amid tight security and shifting protest rules. Jantar Mantar has been denotified as a designated protest site, with three new venues - Ramlila Ground, Burari Ground and CBD Ground in East Delhi - designated instead. Co-conveners of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), a separate protest movement, submitted a letter to the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Parliament Street, seeking permission to protest at Jantar Mantar. Separately, Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy led a protest against the CEC at Telangana Bhavan, and a case was registered against Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Aaditya Thackeray and MNS leader Amit Thackeray over a protest at Mumbai's Shivaji Park.
Sources:
INDIA Bloc protest live updates: Rahul Gandhi-led INDIA bloc march to Supreme Court begins - The Economic Times
Today News Headlines for School Assembly, October 12, 2026 - The Indian Express
