Thousands of security personnel were deployed across central Delhi on Monday as leaders of the Congress-led INDIA bloc marched towards the Supreme Court to protest alleged irregularities in the revision of electoral rolls and demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The demonstration, led by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and joined by opposition leaders and supporters, marked an escalation in the opposition’s campaign against the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise. The protesters alleged that the revision had resulted in the removal of eligible voters’ names from electoral lists.

The opposition’s march followed Chief Justice of India Surya Kant’s refusal to meet a delegation of INDIA bloc leaders seeking to discuss their concerns. The Chief Justice reportedly advised the opposition to approach the court through a formal petition, explaining that the issues were already before the judiciary. Rahul Gandhi and other leaders subsequently decided to pursue the matter through the legal process, seeking judicial attention to their allegations concerning the voter-list revision and the conduct of the Election Commission.

Rahul Gandhi accused the authorities of restricting the opposition’s ability to stage peaceful demonstrations and questioned the extensive security arrangements in the national capital. He maintained that the campaign would continue until the opposition’s concerns were addressed. The INDIA bloc has alleged that the electoral-roll revision could affect the fairness of elections, while the Election Commission has denied favouring any political party. The poll body has said that voters whose names were wrongly removed can seek re-enrolment through the prescribed procedures.

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Security measures disrupted movement across parts of central Delhi ahead of the march. The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation temporarily closed entry and exit facilities at six stations, including Patel Chowk, Janpath, Rajiv Chowk, Mandi House, Central Secretariat and Barakhamba Road, from 6 am to 4 pm. Interchange facilities remained available at the affected stations. Delhi Traffic Police also issued advisories warning commuters about diversions and possible delays, while barricades and additional security deployments were put in place along key routes.

The protests have intensified following demonstrations by opposition groups and the youth-led Cockroach Janta Party over demands for Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation. Authorities detained large numbers of protesters during earlier demonstrations, prompting criticism from opposition leaders and activists. Separately, Delhi Police announced that Jantar Mantar would no longer be a designated protest site, identifying Ramlila Ground, Burari Ground and CBD Ground as alternative venues. The decision drew objections from groups that regard Jantar Mantar as an important location for public demonstrations.

The INDIA bloc’s march combines street-level protests with an attempt to pursue the matter through the Supreme Court. The opposition has demanded accountability over the voter-list revision, while the BJP has rejected its allegations and accused it of politicising the issue. The Election Commission has maintained that electoral-roll corrections are part of the established process. The dispute is expected to continue through political and legal channels as the parties seek responses to their competing claims over the revision and its implications for electoral fairness.

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