INDIA bloc moves SIR protest to Gandhi Smarak as Rahul Gandhi, Kharge target Centre

The INDIA bloc’s protest against the Election Commission entered its third day on Thursday, with Opposition MPs moving towards Gandhi Smarak in Delhi for a sit-in over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge hosted an Opposition lunch at Moets restaurant in Connaught Place before announcing that INDIA bloc MPs would proceed to Gandhi Smarak. The lawmakers later left in buses for the planned demonstration.

Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Kharge, along with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, were also scheduled to meet President Droupadi Murmu as the Opposition stepped up its campaign against the Election Commission.

Kharge says Opposition will pray at Gandhi Smarak

Announcing the next phase of the protest, Kharge said the INDIA bloc MPs would sit peacefully at Gandhi Smarak and pray for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and the BJP government to “be given wisdom”.

He said the Opposition wanted to draw attention to what it described as issues affecting the country, including “vote theft”, inflation and problems confronting young people.

Kharge also accused the government of taking away freedoms secured during India's independence. Referring to Jawaharlal Nehru, Mahatma Gandhi and Vallabhbhai Patel, he said the freedom struggle had secured rights for citizens that were now under threat.

“They are taking away our right to vote,” Kharge said, adding that the Opposition would pray for the government to stop taking away people's rights and freedoms, including their right to vote.

Rahul Gandhi says 300 MPs were denied protest

Rahul Gandhi said around 300 MPs from the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha wanted to stage a peaceful demonstration but had been prevented from doing so for two consecutive days.

He recalled that the Opposition's first attempt was stopped outside the Election Commission. The MPs then sought to protest at Jantar Mantar but were stopped there as well.

“Yesterday, as you witnessed, we were stopped there as well; our people were assaulted,” Gandhi said.

He alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, CEC Gyanesh Kumar and RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat had “hijacked India through a criminal conspiracy”, destroyed the Constitution and stolen votes.

Gandhi said the Opposition would take action against those it held responsible and promised that they would be brought to justice.

“They will be brought to justice. This is our guarantee,” he said.

Third day follows two confrontations with police

The latest mobilisation follows two days of protests in the national capital.

On Tuesday, INDIA bloc MPs marched towards the Election Commission headquarters but were stopped by Delhi Police. After being briefly detained, Rahul Gandhi and other Opposition leaders continued their protest at Akashvani Bhawan, which is located next to the poll panel's office. Around 250 people, including 50 MPs, were detained during the day's protests, according to police.

On Wednesday, the Opposition again attempted to reach Jantar Mantar after a lunch meeting. Three buses carrying MPs were stopped by police at the Janpath and Ashoka Road intersection, with the confrontation bringing traffic in central Delhi to a halt. Some protesters were later detained and two buses were removed.

The Opposition has accused the police of preventing it from holding peaceful demonstrations, while the police have defended their handling of the protests.

Mamata among leaders set to meet President Murmu

The INDIA bloc has also sought to take its concerns to President Droupadi Murmu.

Rahul Gandhi, Kharge and Mamata Banerjee are among the Opposition leaders scheduled to meet the President as the protest continues. A 10-member delegation was expected to meet Murmu to raise concerns over the SIR exercise and the Opposition's demand for Gyanesh Kumar's resignation.

The Election Commission has faced sustained criticism from Opposition parties over the electoral-roll revision. The poll panel has rejected allegations that its actions are politically motivated, while the BJP has also dismissed the Opposition's accusations.

The confrontation has now entered its third consecutive day, with the Opposition expanding the protest beyond its earlier attempts to reach the Election Commission and Jantar Mantar. Protests have also spread to other parts of the country.