In brief
Opposition leaders, led by Congress star Rahul Gandhi, converged on the Supreme Court to file a memorandum seeking the resignation of Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, alleging voter fraud that favours Prime Minister Modi’s party. The protest drew thousands to the capital’s streets, prompting a heavy police presence and restricted traffic. Police detained thousands, including journalists, drawing criticism from Reporters Without Borders and prompting calls for restraint. Delhi’s Chief Justice Surya Kant declined a meeting with the opposition, citing pending court matters. The standoff highlights the tense political climate ahead of upcoming elections.
Opposition parties and civil society groups converged on Delhi’s Supreme Court today, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over allegations that voter rolls were being engineered to favour Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s BJP.
The move follows a series of road‑block protests across the capital, where law‑enforcement has deployed thousands of officers and shut key metro stations to limit movement. Police detained and released many protestors, with reports of forceful removal and the dragging of supporters, including women, into buses.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi called on all opposition parties, civil society and anyone who believes in democracy to join the march. He presented a letter addressed to Chief Justice Surya Kant, outlining concerns over the alleged conduct of Gyanesh Kumar and the contentious electoral‑roll revision.
Chief Justice Kant declined a face‑to‑face meeting, citing reasons that remain unclear. He said that the court would hear any “Indian citizen’s concerns” and grant what the law requires.
The protest began on Barakhamba Road, where the bus carrying Rahul Gandhi arrived at 15:30 local time. Supporters waved flags, chanted his name and marched in rows of disciplined solidarity, with the left‑wing student leader Neha Bora seated a few rows behind him.
The CJP’s leadership, including founder Abhijeet Dipke and co‑convenors Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, were briefly detained after landing in Delhi and released the following day. Despite missing the Sunday rally, they vowed to press forward with a new protest date.
Journalists were among the thousands detained; Reporters Without Borders condemned the crackdown, calling it an unacceptable attack on press freedom. Reuters footage captured a policeman slapping a protester inside a bus, while a BBC clip showed a detained woman being dragged by security.
BJP president Nitin Nabin accused the opposition of inviting foreign influence to destabilise India, a claim the party declined to detail. Meanwhile, Rahul Gandhi remarked that young Indians sparked the protest “with love in their hearts, not hatred or anger,” yet “they were beaten up.”
