Table of Contents
Tens of thousands of people are expected to gather at the Ramlila Maidan grounds in Delhi for a mega opposition rally organized by the Congress party. The demonstration calls for the resignation of the chief election commissioner and demands electoral reforms.
Protest Against Voter List Revision
The rally follows mounting criticism over a voter-list revision exercise that has stripped 130 million names from draft rolls across India. The Election Commission of India (ECI) maintains that the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) aims to update voter lists by removing individuals who have passed away or relocated.
However, opposition parties argue the process favors Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) by purging eligible voters, accusing the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and the BJP of vote theft. Both the BJP and the ECI have rejected these allegations.
The dispute escalated in September following an investigation by The Indian Express, which revealed that CEC Gyanesh Kumar made pivotal decisions regarding the revision without the concurrence of the other two election commissioners, who objected multiple times. The Election Commission responded by stating that internal differences are standard and do not impair its operations.
Opposition Mobilization and Security Measures
Opposition parties, the Gen Z-led pressure group Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), and various student groups have staged multiple protests across Indian cities. Last month, Congress MP and opposition leader Rahul Gandhi led a large march from central Delhi to the Supreme Court to demand the CEC’s resignation, with a party leader telling BBC News that Sunday’s gathering will be significantly larger.
Ahead of the event, Gandhi stated that the protest opposes the destruction of Indian democracy and welcomed all political and non-political participants. He noted that widespread anger and emotional distress stem from millions losing their voting rights, emphasizing that participants are standing together to defend the Constitution and the Indian vote.
Delhi police granted permission for the rally under strict conditions, requiring the event to conclude by 5:00 PM, installation of CCTV cameras at the venue, and prohibiting any marches outside the designated site. Authorities have stationed thousands of police and paramilitary personnel throughout the city and near the protest grounds.
The opposition has accused the government of attempting to block people from traveling to Delhi for the protest. Urging citizens to attend in large numbers, Gandhi wrote on X that people should not fear the police or batons, asserting that the BJP lacks the courage to attempt any tactics against them.
Market Reactions and Past Clashes
Tensions surrounding the policing of capital protests remain high following a 10 October demonstration called by the CJP against CEC Gyanesh Kumar, which prompted heavy security deployment, city shutdowns, and the detention of senior CJP leaders. BBC News journalists covering those demonstrations witnessed police dragging away and beating protesters with batons.
The upcoming rally has also caused division among traders in Chandni Chowk, a major market near the venue. While one faction warned that the protest could harm festive business ahead of Diwali, a rival group supported Gandhi’s rally and criticized a BJP march through the market on Thursday for causing greater disruption.
The CJP has endorsed the opposition alliance rally, though participation by its senior leaders remains uncertain.
