Rahul Gandhi, who holds the position of Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, stated that young people taking part in a Delhi demonstration were subjected to physical force by authorities. Gandhi called for a nationwide march, citing as its objectives a halt to the Special Intensive Revision of voter rolls and what his party has characterised as irregularities in the electoral process.
In a post shared on X, Gandhi stated that young people had gathered in Delhi the previous day to take part in a peaceful demonstration. He said participants had arrived with peaceful intentions. Gandhi's post alleged that those involved were subjected to physical force from both police officers and individuals affiliated with the BJP.
Organisers announced that participants would converge on the Supreme Court the following day, presenting themselves as a cross-section of Indian society united across party affiliation, gender, caste, religious community, and regional identity. Gandhi announced that a memorandum addressed to the Chief Justice would be presented on behalf of the nation, setting out three demands: a halt to what he described as electoral irregularities, a suspension of the Special Intensive Revision process, and the removal of Gyanesh Kumar from his post. He indicated that backing was anticipated from young people, opposition parties, and civil society organisations that support democratic and constitutional principles.
On Sunday, 11 October, Gandhi used a video address to call for a march to the Supreme Court, speaking amid ongoing protests over Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The address included an allegation — attributed by Gandhi to demonstrators — that young people attending a peaceful gathering in Delhi had been subjected to physical force by authorities.
Gandhi's post also named Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat, asserting that none of them had the power to suppress the voices of the public. He stated that those who had issued threats would find no ground for intimidation and that a withdrawal from their position was the only path forward. Gandhi contended that the march would draw its guiding force from values of love, brotherhood, and patriotism, and participants pledged to advance the demonstration in a spirit of unity and national feeling.
A dispute over how votes are recorded and whether electoral rolls contain inaccuracies forms the backdrop against which Gandhi's comments were made. Calls for the Election Commission to answer for its handling of the SIR exercise have come from multiple opposition parties.
Gandhi called for a mobilisation extending beyond party lines, intended to draw people of varied backgrounds toward a shared defence of democratic principles and constitutional protections. The post concluded with the Urdu phrase "Daro mat" — translated as "Do not be afraid" — and urged people from across the country to gather at the Supreme Court.
