NEW DELHI: The Congress and other opposition parties will march to the Supreme Court on Monday, October 12, demanding chief election commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The protest comes a day after a police crackdown on demonstrators in Delhi and amid fresh political tensions over the alleged misuse of force against protesters.Leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi has called on young people, opposition parties and civil society groups to join the march. The Congress has named it “Chalo Delhi – March for Democracy” and said participants will assemble at 1.30pm at the Connaught Place-Barakhamba Road junction.The opposition plans to submit a memorandum to Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, demanding an end to alleged “vote chori”, a halt to SIR and Kumar’s resignation. However, sources said on Sunday night that the CJI had not agreed to meet Gandhi and Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge, who had sought an appointment between 4pm and 5pm on Monday.Rahul, in a post on X, urged people to unite beyond party, gender, caste, community and state. “Yesterday, the nation’s young came out in Delhi to peacefully protest. They came with love in their hearts, not hatred or anger. They were beaten, both by cops and BJP goons. This is not the India we want,” he said.“Tomorrow, we will march to the Supreme Court as Indians, united beyond party, gender, caste, community and state. Youth, all opposition parties, civil society groups, all those who believe in democracy and stand by the Constitution of India, will walk with us,” he added.
Supreme Court steps in after crackdown
The march follows Saturday’s police action against protesters demanding Kumar’s removal. Several demonstrators, including activists of the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), were detained as security personnel prevented them from reaching the designated protest site.On Sunday, the Supreme Court directed authorities to immediately lift prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita around the apex court complex. A bench of Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana said peaceful citizens should not face illegal detention and that movement across Delhi must be allowed in accordance with the law.The court was hearing petitions challenging the police crackdown and detentions, along with a contempt plea alleging disobedience of its orders.Meanwhile, CPI(M) Rajya Sabha MP John Brittas was taken to Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital after he was allegedly manhandled by police during Sunday’s protest. He later sought an independent investigation and accountability from the President, the Rajya Sabha chairman and the CJI.Brittas alleged that police personnel dragged him for around 50 metres, forcibly put him in a vehicle and assaulted him inside it before leaving him by the roadside. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor condemned the alleged mistreatment and called for an investigation.
CJP vows to return to streets
CJP activists also vowed to continue their agitation after Abhijeet Dipke, Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were released following their preventive detention.“We will take to the streets again; we will not be intimidated by people like Amit Shah and Modi. Throw us in jail not just once, but a hundred times,” Dipke said.Delhi Police DCP Neha Yadav defended the detentions, citing alleged law-and-order violations during previous demonstrations, including stone-pelting, arson and damage to public property. She said prohibitory orders had been imposed in several areas to maintain public safety.Opposition leaders, however, accused the government of suppressing dissent. RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav said “an Emergency has been declared”, while Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav alleged that women protesters had been mistreated.
BJP hits back at opposition
The BJP dismissed the allegations and accused the opposition of creating chaos. Union minister Sukanta Majumdar said the opposition “occasionally makes its presence felt, much like a cockroach crawling across one’s back.”BJP leader Karuna Sagar also challenged Rahul Gandhi and other opposition leaders to follow the constitutional procedure for removing the CEC. He said any evidence of wrongdoing should be presented before Parliament.Union minister of state Tokhan Sahu defended the electoral roll revision process, saying it had taken place under successive governments. Delhi chief minister Rekha Gupta also criticised the opposition protests and praised Delhi Police for maintaining public safety.
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The latest confrontation follows the opposition’s earlier march from Parliament to Vijay Chowk, after which INDIA bloc leaders submitted a memorandum to President Droupadi Murmu. The Congress and its allies are now seeking to take their demands to the Supreme Court as the dispute over electoral rolls and Kumar’s position intensifies.
