Security was tightened across central Delhi on Monday as the INDIA bloc prepared to march to the Supreme Court over alleged electoral irregularities, demanding a halt to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, ANI reported.
Barricades were erected at several locations, while Delhi Police, the Rapid Action Force (RAF) and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) were deployed near Barakhamba Road and Mandi House.
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Entry and exit at six metro stations: Patel Chowk, Janpath, Rajiv Chowk, Mandi House, Central Secretariat and Barakhamba Road, were scheduled to remain closed from 6 am to 4 pm on October 12 for security reasons.
The march, called by Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, comes after Chief Justice of India Surya Kant declined the INDIA bloc delegation’s request for a meeting to submit a memorandum on electoral irregularities.
The CJI asked the leaders to approach the court by filing a petition, as the matter was already sub judice, local media reports said.
Rahul Gandhi urges people to join protest
On Sunday, Gandhi called on opposition parties, students and civil society organisations to join the march, describing it as a peaceful effort to defend democracy and the Constitution.
He accused Delhi Police personnel and BJP workers of using violence against students and women during the CJP-led protest seeking Kumar’s resignation. Gandhi said the opposition would submit a memorandum to the CJI demanding an end to alleged “vote chori”, a halt to SIR and the CEC’s resignation.
Also Read: CJI Kant rejects INDIA bloc's meeting request on SIR halt, Gyanesh Kumar's resignation
Congress general secretary KC Venugopal described the agitation as a movement to protect democratic values, while saying the party respected the CJI’s decision not to meet the delegation.
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor also accused the Election Commission of India of disregarding rules during electoral roll revisions and said the opposition would seek the suspension of SIR and restoration of votes allegedly removed from electoral rolls.
The Congress’s allegations of electoral irregularities remain claims made by the opposition.