Leaders from the INDIA bloc have announced plans to walk to the Supreme Court on Monday, presenting three demands: a halt to what they describe as electoral roll manipulation, a suspension of the Special Intensive Revision process, and the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar from his post.
Congress figures Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge sought an audience with Chief Justice Surya Kant with the aim of placing a written memorandum on the matter before him. The Chief Justice of India declined to hold a meeting with Gandhi, noting that comparable matters were already before the Supreme Court for adjudication. Gandhi was directed to file a judicial petition, with the matter potentially listed for hearing on Tuesday, according to a broadcast news outlet.
Gandhi and Kharge had proposed a meeting window between 4 pm and 5 pm on Monday as their preferred time for an appointment. Addressing those present, the Chief Justice stated that orders of an administrative nature fell outside the court's reach and that executive functions were not a domain into which the judiciary could intervene through administrative channels. He further noted that anyone whose fundamental rights had been violated was entitled to bring a complaint before the court, which remained accessible at all times.
A march organised by opposition groups is scheduled to take place as pressure on the CEC over reported electoral irregularities continues to mount. The party designated its Monday rally "Chalo Delhi — March for Democracy," with attendees set to converge at the Connaught Place–Barakhamba Road junction from 1.30 pm. The preceding Friday had seen representatives from multiple INDIA bloc parties walk from Parliament to Vijay Chowk before delivering a memorandum to President Droupadi Murmu.
Via a post on X, Gandhi called on opposition parties, civil society groups, and young people to join the march as citizens united across political, gender, caste, community, and state boundaries. He also noted that the day prior had brought the country's youth together in Delhi for a peaceful gathering, stating that people attended out of a genuine sense of connection rather than animosity or grievance.
According to accounts from those present, physical force was used against the group by both police personnel and individuals affiliated with the BJP. Gandhi contended that the nation had moved in a direction that did not reflect the values he believed it should uphold. Organisers announced that demonstrators plan to gather at the Supreme Court the following day, drawing participants from across party lines, genders, castes, communities, and states.
Speaking to supporters, Gandhi expressed an expectation that youth, opposition parties, civil society groups, and those holding democratic principles and the Indian Constitution dear would rally behind the cause. His remarks also addressed Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, and RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, with Gandhi contending that none of them had the power to suppress the nation's voice. He stated that their purpose was defending the Constitution, which he said had drawn them into the streets.
K C Venugopal, general secretary of the Congress party, raised objections regarding how Delhi Police managed the protests that took place on Saturday. He alleged that reporters from wire services, Malayalam-language outlets, independent bloggers, and YouTubers had been arrested and physically mistreated, with women among those groups drawing particular attention in his account. Venugopal characterised the reported treatment of journalists as conduct that could not be excused.
Jairam Ramesh, a general secretary within the Congress party, contended that authorities had deployed force against students, young people, and opposition figures, characterising those actions as an attack on democratic principles. Ahead of the planned street demonstrations and marches centred on democratic governance, the INDIA bloc had settled on a coordinated response to the SIR dispute during the prior week.
