Opposition leaders from the INDIA bloc took out a protest march towards the Supreme Court in Delhi to submit a plea questioning the functioning and transparency of the Election Commission of India. Prior to the march, the Chief Justice of India, Suryakant, declined to meet the opposition delegation, stating that the matters raised were sub judice and that discussing pending cases outside the judicial process would infringe upon judicial propriety and the separation of powers. The leaders continued their demonstration, demanding the dismissal or resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, the halting of the special intensive revision of electoral rolls, and repolls in disputed states. Senior leaders including D.K. Shivakumar and Dr. Abhishek Manu Singhvi highlighted allegations of voter deletions and irregularities while defending their judicial petition. Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party questioned the opposition's stance, arguing that allegations of electoral manipulation are raised selectively only when opposition parties face defeat.
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Delhi Protest Crackdown: 'Felt Like A Police State', Says Shadan Farasat
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'The Right To Protest Is Not An Absolute Right': BJP's Nalin Kohli
In an interview with Rajdeep Sardesai, BJP leader and Senior Advocate at the Supreme Court Nalin Kohli responded to the Congress and INDIA bloc moving the Supreme Court against the Election Commission. Addressing the opposition's ongoing demonstrations, Kohli stated, "The right to protest is not an absolute right," highlighting reasonable restrictions under Article 19 of the Constitution to protect public order, schools, and hospitals. He argued that the opposition's courtroom battles reflect an attempt to win without voter backing, questioning why they do not raise concerns over EVMs or institutions when they secure electoral victories in states like Himachal Pradesh and Telangana. Kohli also dismissed demands for the removal of the Chief Election Commissioner and rejected claims that the government must halt functioning amid manufactured controversies, stressing that dialogue requires reasonable arguments rather than arbitrary demands.
Abhishek Manu Singhvi: 'Every Issue Cannot Have A Full Legal Solution'
Senior Congress leader and Rajya Sabha MP Dr. Abhishek Manu Singhvi discussed the Congress party's ongoing agitation and legal battle before the Supreme Court regarding alleged electoral irregularities. Addressing concerns about whether approaching the court risks closing the political agitation, Singhvi explained that legal and political processes operate in separate spheres, noting, 'Every issue cannot have a full legal solution, but it has some legal solution.' He clarified that the party's petition targets both systemic issues and specific decisions of the Election Commission, asserting that Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and broader electoral practices are intertwined. Singhvi also criticized the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process as distorted and rushed, arguing that authorities have failed to provide point-by-point factual answers to evidence submitted by Rahul Gandhi. Highlighting the spontaneous public turnout during the protest march in Delhi, Singhvi countered claims regarding election results by asserting that electoral victories do not automatically validate actions.
Opposition Moves Supreme Court Against Election Commission, Seeks Audit of Voter Data
The opposition, led by Rahul Gandhi and other INDIA bloc leaders, has moved the Supreme Court challenging the functioning of the Election Commission. The petition alleges arbitrary voter deletions, unilateral decision-making by the Chief Election Commissioner, and illegal modification of Form 6 during the special intensive revision exercise. It demands an independent audit of the electoral roll databases and the software used by the poll body. The filing follows a march by opposition leaders and party workers to the apex court premises.

