10,000 security personnel, 250 cameras: Delhi steps up security for INDIA bloc's anti-CEC rally

Delhi is preparing for a major security operation on Sunday as the Opposition INDIA bloc holds its 'Chalo Dilli' march and rally at Ramlila Maidan against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

Nearly 10,000 police and paramilitary personnel will be deployed across central Delhi, with around 250 high-definition, artificial intelligence-enabled CCTV cameras, drones and body-worn cameras being used to monitor the gathering. Roads leading to Ramlila Maidan will be barricaded, while additional security companies will remain on standby to deal with any escalation.

The demonstration is expected to be the Opposition's largest show of strength in its month-long agitation against the Election Commission. While Opposition parties have claimed that nearly one million people could arrive in the national capital, the Delhi Police has planned for approximately 50,000 participants, corresponding to the capacity of Ramlila Maidan.

Rally route, security arrangements and traffic restrictions

The march is scheduled to begin at noon near Minto Road Bridge in the Connaught Place area. Participants will proceed along Jawaharlal Nehru Marg and Chaman Lal Marg before reaching Ramlila Maidan.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central) Rohit Rajbir Singh said the organisers had not formally approached the police for permission to hold the march. However, the authorities were coordinating with them to facilitate the procession and ensure that it proceeded smoothly.

The rally itself has been permitted between 10am and 5pm, subject to conditions. Organisers have been asked to provide details of invitees, volunteers and buses, and ensure that speeches do not contain anything that could disturb communal harmony.

Of the nearly 10,000 personnel being deployed, around 3,000 will be from the Delhi Police and 7,000 from paramilitary forces. Another 10 companies have been kept in reserve and can be added to the security cordon if required.

The venue has been divided into eight regions, each supervised by a deputy commissioner of police or an additional deputy commissioner of police. These regions will further be split into 14 zones, each headed by an assistant commissioner of police and supported by at least 25 inspectors and other personnel ranging from sub-inspectors to constables.

Every road leading to Ramlila Maidan will be barricaded and manned to prevent protesters from moving towards Jantar Mantar or other restricted areas. One gate at the venue has been earmarked for the emergency evacuation of senior leaders, including Rahul Gandhi.

The arrangements will also include a police control room at the venue, receiving feeds from nearly 250 AI-enabled high-definition cameras. Drones, body-worn cameras and anti-riot equipment will supplement the surveillance network.

Singh said any crowd exceeding the venue's capacity would be contained on adjoining roads, with additional traffic restrictions imposed as necessary.

The 270 companies of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) brought to the national capital this month in connection with the protests will remain deployed until November 16. Their deployment has been extended for the third time. Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar inspected the security arrangements at Minto Road and Ramlila Maidan on Saturday.

Traffic diversions will be implemented at 10 locations during the rally. At least 11 major stretches are expected to experience disruptions, including Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, Jawaharlal Nehru Marg, Aruna Asaf Ali Road, Minto Road, Daryaganj's DBG Road and Barakhamba Road.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Central Range Traffic) K Ramesh said Delhi Transport Corporation buses would operate on restricted routes. A dedicated corridor will remain accessible to ambulances travelling to LNJP and GB Pant hospitals. Commuters have been advised to use the Metro to avoid congestion.

Opposition leaders stage symbolic public impeachment of CEC

A day before the rally, INDIA bloc leaders organised a symbolic 'public impeachment' of CEC Gyanesh Kumar at Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge's residence at 10, Rajaji Marg in Delhi.

The event, attended by Opposition MPs, political leaders, activists and members of civil society, was presided over by former Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar. Samajwadi Party MP Awadhesh Prasad and Trinamool Congress MP Saugata Roy served as vice-chairs.

Congress parliamentary leaders Sonia Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Samajwadi Party's Dharmendra Yadav and Trinamool Congress MP Derek O'Brien were among those present.

Kharge read out an INDIA bloc resolution accusing the CEC of participating in what it described as a "devious and malevolent criminal conspiracy orchestrated by the BJP to steal national and state elections". The resolution termed the alleged actions an "act of treason against the nation and the Constitution of India" and demanded that Kumar be tried in a court.

The Opposition had initially sought permission to hold the event on the lawns of the Ashoka Hotel but claimed it was denied permission. It subsequently said it was also prevented from organising the programme at Ramlila Maidan, forcing it to move the event to Kharge's residence. Rain delayed the programme by a day.

Month-long protest over SIR faces restrictions in Delhi

Sunday's gathering marks the first time in the month-long agitation that the Opposition has mobilised in large numbers at a notified venue in the national capital.

Throughout October, authorities responded to various protest attempts with Metro station closures, internet shutdowns, prohibitory orders and the deployment of around 40,000 security personnel.

Jantar Mantar, traditionally one of India's most prominent sites for public demonstrations, was stripped of its status as a designated protest venue on October 12. Ramlila Maidan, Burari Ground and CBD Ground were subsequently identified as alternative locations.

Leaders of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), including Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka, attempted to enter Jantar Mantar by climbing its locked gates the following day. They were detained and spent more than a week in Tihar Jail before being released on October 21. Their release came after they gave written undertakings that they would not organise protests at the site.

The authorities had also imposed restrictions on gatherings in central Delhi following a CJP call to assemble in the Connaught Place area. The police had informed the Delhi High Court that they would take "all possible measures under the law" in response to the call.

Rahul Gandhi appeals to students, farmers and traders to join march

Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi announced the Sunday march through an Instagram post on Friday and urged students, farmers, workers and traders to participate.

He told those planning to attend that they need not be concerned about the police or the possibility of a lathi-charge.

Congress leader Pawan Khera alleged that trains had been cancelled in Telangana and buses carrying party workers had been stopped, creating difficulties for people travelling to Delhi. BJP spokesperson Sambit Patra rejected the allegations on Friday, accusing the Congress of "fabricating stories" to conceal its own poor organisational arrangements.

The BJP has accused the INDIA bloc of attacking constitutional institutions after failing to secure voters' confidence. Patra also mocked the Opposition's symbolic impeachment exercise, saying Gandhi could become a "mock Prime Minister for life".

Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who on Friday offered to convene a special session of Parliament to discuss the Opposition's allegations of vote theft, accused Gandhi of wanting to create "drama on the streets".

Opposition plans to approach President after rally

The INDIA bloc's agitation is expected to continue beyond Sunday's demonstration. Opposition leaders have said they intend to present what they describe as evidence of vote theft to President Droupadi Murmu and extend the campaign to different states.

The protest centres on allegations of irregularities in the SIR exercise, which the Opposition says has raised concerns over the integrity of electoral rolls and the functioning of the Election Commission. The BJP has rejected the Opposition's accusations.

Meanwhile, the rally has also triggered concerns among traders operating around Ramlila Maidan and central Delhi. Business owners fear that traffic restrictions and the arrival of a large number of demonstrators could affect commercial activity on the last Sunday before Diwali, an important period for festive shopping.

The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) has launched a petition opposing the frequent organisation of rallies in central Delhi, citing their impact on businesses and daily movement in the area.