Opposition Marches to Supreme Court Demanding CEC Resignation
Rahul Gandhi and the INDIA bloc led a mass protest in New Delhi demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar resign over alleged electoral roll irregularities.
Opposition parties led by Rahul Gandhi and the INDIA bloc organized the Chalo Delhi – March for Democracy on October 12, 2026, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Protesters alleged that the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls resulted in the deletion of 130 million names, which they characterized as vote chori. Gandhi likened the movement to Lord Shiva’s Tandav, urging students and civil society to join the effort to protect the Constitution.
The protests follow reports of internal strife within the Election Commission of India, with Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi reportedly filing 14 formal objections against Kumar's decisions over the last 10 months. In response, Union minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan dismissed the claims as frustration over electoral defeats and criticized the use of religious symbolism.
New Delhi authorities placed the city on high alert for a third consecutive day, deploying 30,000 police and paramilitary personnel. The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation closed gates at six major stations, including Rajiv Chowk and Central Secretariat, to manage the crowds. While the Supreme Court of India agreed to hear pleas regarding the assault of lawyers and protesters by Delhi Police during previous demonstrations, Chief Justice Surya Kant declined a direct meeting with opposition leaders, stating the matter is sub judice and must be addressed through formal petitions.
