India Bloc Marches to Supreme Court Demanding CEC Resignation
Rahul Gandhi and INDIA bloc leaders march to Supreme Court demanding CEC Gyanesh Kumar's resignation amid massive security lockdown in Delhi.
In a massive show of political defiance, leaders of the INDIA bloc launched a high-stakes protest march toward the Supreme Court on October 12, 2026. Led by the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, the opposition coalition is demanding the immediate resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, alleging serious "vote theft" and irregularities during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise.
The march, which began from Barakhamba Road, saw a heavy presence of top opposition figures, including Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, and RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav. The atmosphere in the national capital remains electric and tense as the opposition seeks judicial intervention regarding electoral integrity.
"Delhi Turned Into a Fortress"
Addressing the media before the commencement of the march, Rahul Gandhi launched a scathing attack on the Modi administration. He accused the government of shielding the CEC and transforming the capital into a "fortress" to stifle dissent. Gandhi argued that the heavy security measures are a deliberate attempt to obstruct public access and prevent citizens from voicing their concerns.
The scale of the security crackdown is unprecedented. Over 30,000 police and paramilitary personnel have been deployed across Delhi to manage the situation. The disruption has also extended to public transport, with Delhi Metro authorities restricting entry and exit at several key stations, including:
- Patel Chowk
- Janpath
- Rajiv Chowk
- Mandi House
- Central Secretariat
- Barakhamba Road
While interchange facilities remain operational, commuters have faced significant hurdles as restrictions remain in place until 4:00 p.m.
Supreme Court Declines Immediate Meeting
As the opposition delegation approached the highest court in the land, Chief Justice of India Surya Kant declined to meet with the leaders directly. The CJI advised the INDIA bloc leaders to follow legal protocols by filing a formal petition rather than seeking an audience. The Chief Justice noted that many of the issues raised by the alliance are already sub-judice and emphasized that the court cannot intervene in administrative matters in this manner.
Legal Battles Over Protest Rights
The march comes on the heels of a controversial decision by the Delhi Police to remove Jantar Mantar as a designated protest site. The authorities have proposed alternative locations such as CBD Ground in East Delhi, Ramlila Maidan, and Burari Ground, a move that has sparked significant backlash.
The legal battle over the right to protest is intensifying on multiple fronts:
- Indian Youth Congress: Has moved the Delhi High Court to challenge the denial of permission for protests at Jantar Mantar.
- Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA): Has filed a petition regarding the recent detention of and attacks on lawyers during protests.
- Abhijit Deepke: The founder of the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) condemned the removal of the protest site, declaring that "the entire country will become Jantar Mantar."
As the march continues, the standoff between the opposition's demands for electoral transparency and the government's security measures remains the central flashpoint in Indian politics.