UPDATED: Oct 17, 2026 07:44 IST
Repeated protests and blockades in Delhi have hit commercial activity in Connaught Place, triggering a debate between the right to protest and the right to earn livelihoods. Traders, including the Delhi Kirana Committee, Khan Market traders body, and the New Delhi Traders Association, raised concerns over mounting losses, rent, and staff salaries. The issue reached the Supreme Court, where the Chief Justice of India acknowledged livelihood worries and noted that claims could be raised on October 26. Traders also wrote to Home Minister Amit Shah seeking restrictions on demonstrations in commercial hubs. Meanwhile, activists and opposition leaders argue that peaceful protests are a democratic right, placing the blame for disruptions on government restrictions and security shutdowns.
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Delhi Protests Over Election Commission Face Police Crackdown as Regime Change Row Escalates
A major political confrontation has erupted in New Delhi over protests directed against the Special Intensive Revision and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Delhi Police detained Citizens for Justice and Peace founder Abhijeet Dipke ahead of the planned Tiranga Protest, alongside ISA President Neha Bora at Mandi House. The detentions followed controversy surrounding remarks referencing regime change and drawing comparisons to student demonstrations in Bangladesh. The Bharatiya Janata Party targeted the opposition and activists, accusing them of attempting to destabilise the country, generate unrest, and seize power through anarchy using young demonstrators. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh alleged that the agitations are a pretext to create chaos rather than an effort addressing youth interests or electoral rolls. In response, the Congress defended its position, stating that seeking a regime change through democratic elections is legitimate, noting that similar anti-government agitations occurred during the United Progressive Alliance tenure.
'We Have Never Supported Violent Protests': P. Chidambaram on BJP Charges
In an interview with India Today, senior Congress leader and former union minister P. Chidambaram rejected allegations by BJP leaders that the opposition is planning a violent regime change. Addressing the controversy surrounding the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision (SIR), Chidambaram argued that the ECI has abandoned the SIR in remaining states to switch over to the customary Summary Revision (SSR), stating that both processes cannot proceed together. He noted that opposition leaders, including Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, have moved the Supreme Court regarding the exclusion of over 13 crore voters during the SIR process across 26 states. Chidambaram said, "I fervently hope that the Supreme Court will expose the SIR for what it is. It was a mischievous attempt. It is an illegal attempt to exclude 13 crore, 30 lakh voters." Emphasizing his party's commitment to peaceful and nonviolent demonstrations, he asserted that their wider movement focuses on protecting constitutional freedoms and fundamental rights.
Protest Is Not a Threat, State Must Not Criminalise Dissent: On Liberty and Democracy
A commentary on Indian politics highlights that peaceful protest is not a threat to democracy but an essential safety valve that keeps it alive. Emphasising that maintaining law and order must not come at the cost of liberty, it notes a crucial difference between preventing violence and criminalising dissent. Detaining activists, arresting protesters, and shutting public spaces cannot serve as the default response to political disagreement. While regime change is ultimately decided by the ballot box and voters, peaceful protest remains a constitutional right rather than a government favour, testing how confidently a nation accommodates its critics.