Leaders of the INDIA bloc will assemble at India Gate on Monday and march to the Supreme Court, where a delegation is expected to meet Chief Justice of India Surya Kant after 4 pm to raise concerns over alleged electoral irregularities and the police action against protesters in Delhi.
The march, scheduled for October 12, comes amid escalating tensions between Opposition parties and the Centre over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and the demand for the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi are expected to meet the CJI between 4 pm and 5 pm. Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav, who did not participate in the Opposition's previous two marches, will join Monday's demonstration.
The proposed mobilisation follows widespread detentions during Saturday's protests led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), which had called for Kumar's resignation over alleged irregularities in the electoral roll revision exercise.
Kharge, Rahul seek meeting
Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru on Sunday, Kharge said he and Gandhi had written to the CJI seeking an appointment to apprise him of the situation arising from the protests and the controversy surrounding electoral rolls.
"We have sought a time between 4 and 5 pm. We will also apprise him, as we cannot demand. Only with folded hands, we can request him," Kharge said. The Congress president accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah of creating an atmosphere of intimidation through extensive security restrictions and preventive detentions.
He alleged that the government's response to the demonstrations amounted to an undeclared Emergency and reflected its unwillingness to address concerns raised by protesters. The allegations have been rejected by the ruling BJP, which has defended the authorities' responsibility to maintain public order.
Opposition seeks judicial intervention
Congress general secretary K C Venugopal called upon citizens concerned about electoral transparency to participate in Monday's demonstration. He said INDIA bloc MPs, senior leaders and party workers would march to the Supreme Court, where a delegation would submit a memorandum seeking the CJI's intervention. Opposition leaders are expected to request the expeditious hearing of pending cases concerning the SIR exercise and the functioning of the Election Commission.
The Opposition has accused the poll panel of failing to adequately safeguard the voting rights of eligible citizens during electoral roll revisions. The Election Commission has maintained that the exercise is intended to ensure the accuracy and integrity of voter lists. The planned march follows an earlier Opposition demonstration towards the Election Commission headquarters, which was stopped by police near the NITI Aayog office on October 6.
Police action draws criticism
Saturday's CJP-led protest at Jantar Mantar was met with extensive security arrangements, including barricades, preventive detentions and restrictions on public transport in parts of central Delhi.
Several Opposition leaders and protesters were detained as police sought to prevent large gatherings in restricted areas.
Opposition parties criticised the measures as disproportionate, alleging that peaceful demonstrators had been prevented from exercising their constitutional rights.
The Delhi Police, however, maintained that restrictions were imposed to preserve public order and that permission for the proposed gathering had not been granted.
Supreme Court issues directions
The planned march comes a day after the Supreme Court issued directions concerning restrictions imposed during the Delhi demonstrations. A bench of Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana, hearing petitions relating to the police action, directed authorities to ensure that detentions complied with legal procedures and that peaceful assemblies were not subjected to unlawful restrictions.
The court also emphasised the need to maintain normal Metro and railway services, facilitate public movement and ensure access to courts. It directed authorities to review barricades and other restrictions while recognising their powers to take lawful measures necessary for public safety.
Monday's proposed meeting with the CJI is expected to focus on the Opposition's demand for judicial scrutiny of the electoral roll revision process and the circumstances surrounding the detentions. With senior leaders from several Opposition parties preparing to participate, the march is set to become another major political demonstration in the continuing dispute over electoral transparency and the right to peaceful protest.