Delhi saw another day of protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar on October 12, as INDIA bloc leaders marched towards the Supreme Court and the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) sought permission to hold a fresh demonstration.
The Opposition has accused the Election Commission of irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. It has called for a halt to the exercise and demanded Kumar’s resignation. These are allegations made by opposition parties and activists.
INDIA bloc takes protest to Supreme Court
With Chief Justice of India Surya Kant declining a request to meet opposition leaders, the INDIA bloc said it would pursue the matter through the legal process. Rahul Gandhi and other leaders had sought a meeting to submit a memorandum, but were advised to approach the court through a petition.
On Monday afternoon, opposition MPs gathered near Constitution Club and began a march towards the Supreme Court. The demonstration drew leaders from several INDIA bloc parties, including Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Mamata Banerjee and Akhilesh Yadav.
Five opposition leaders approached the Supreme Court with a writ petition concerning the Election Commission and the SIR process. The petition seeks judicial intervention; its filing does not mean the court has accepted the allegations.
Heavy security across Delhi
Authorities deployed more than 30,000 police and paramilitary personnel across the capital. Six Metro stations were closed to entry and exit until 4 pm, while traffic restrictions were announced ahead of the march.
The Supreme Court stressed that democratic activity should be allowed, while also saying protests must not obstruct court proceedings or access for lawyers, litigants and staff. It was also set to hear pleas related to lawyers’ detention and disruptions.
CJP seeks fresh protest date
Separately, CJP leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka visited Parliament Street Police Station to seek a date for a peaceful protest at Jantar Mantar. The party gave Delhi Police 24 hours to respond and said it could announce another protest if no date was provided.
The day’s events kept pressure on both the Election Commission and Delhi authorities, as the Opposition pursued its concerns in court and protest organisers continued to seek space for demonstrations.
