INDIA bloc anti-SIR rally march kicks off as thousands gather at Ramlila Maidan; 4,000 cops, 200 cameras deployed

The INDIA bloc's march against alleged electoral irregularities began from the Minto Road–Connaught Place junction in Delhi on Sunday, November 1, as thousands gathered at Ramlila Maidan for a mega rally led by opposition parties. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and other Opposition leaders were among those participating in the mobilisation.

The protest seeks the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar over allegations of large-scale voter deletions and electoral manipulation during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Opposition parties have accused the Election Commission of facilitating 'vote chori' and undermining the integrity of elections.

Also Read: 'Going to be one of Delhi's biggest rallies': K C Venugopal on INDIA bloc protest on November


The INDIA bloc had expected up to 10 lakh people to join the march and rally, while Delhi Police estimated a turnout of around 50,000. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and leaders of several INDIA bloc parties were expected to participate, alongside student groups, civil society organisations, workers, women and youth. The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), founded by Abhijeet Dipke, had also extended support.

Rahul Gandhi accuses BJP of forcing shops shut in Connaught Place ahead of mega rally

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of forcibly shutting shops in Delhi's Connaught Place, alleging that the move caused financial losses to local traders on the day of a march and mega rally at Ramlila Maidan.

Gandhi said people attending the rally had been encouraged to visit local businesses and shop in Connaught Place, but found the outlets closed when they reached the commercial hub.

"We told everyone that when you come here for the march and the mega rally, buy things, do some shopping. But, while coming to Connaught Place here, we found out that the BJP has forcibly shut down every single shop," he said.

He blamed the BJP for the losses allegedly suffered by traders and questioned the reason behind the closures.

"So, you should know who is causing the loss to the traders, and how it's happening," Gandhi said.

4,000 cops, CAPF companies and 200 CCTV cameras for security

Delhi Police has drawn up elaborate security arrangements, with more than 4,000 personnel, along with Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) companies, deployed along the march route and at Ramlila Maidan. The venue has been divided into 14 zones, each supervised by an officer of assistant commissioner of police rank.

More than 200 CCTV cameras, drones and body-worn cameras will be used for surveillance. A control room has been set up inside the ground to monitor crowd movement, entry and exit points and potential security concerns. Anti-riot vehicles and other surveillance equipment will also remain deployed. Attendees will enter through designated gates and undergo security checks, including metal detector screening.

While the INDIA bloc has projected a turnout of up to 10 lakh, Delhi Police expects around 50,000 people. Additional space will be kept outside the venue to manage crowd spillover.

Police have asked organisers to deploy volunteers to regulate the gathering, facilitate movement and arrange drinking water and separate toilets for women. Separate entry gates and enclosures will be provided for different categories of attendees.

Overnight stays at the venue is not permitted.

Meanwhile, the deployment of 270 CAPF companies, called in earlier this month in view of a series of protests, has been extended for the third time until November 16.

Delhi traffic advisory: Roads to avoid, diversions

Traffic restrictions will remain in force across parts of Delhi between 10 am and 5 pm on Sunday in view of the march and rally. Diversions are planned at key intersections, including ITO, Delhi Gate, Rajghat, Ajmeri Gate and Turkman Gate.

Commuters have been advised to avoid stretches around Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, Jawaharlal Nehru Marg, Minto Road and Desh Bandhu Gupta Road. Around 150 additional traffic personnel will be deployed to regulate vehicular movement, while pedestrian movement will not be diverted, officials said.

Special arrangements will be made to ensure uninterrupted passage for ambulances and emergency vehicles heading towards LNJP and GB Pant hospitals.

Passengers travelling to New Delhi Railway Station have also been advised to plan their journeys in advance.

Also Read: INDIA bloc holds mock impeachment of CEC Gyanesh Kumar, Rahul Gandhi calls him 'first target'

Delhi Police has granted permission for the rally at Ramlila Maidan but said it had not received an application for the proposed procession from the Minto Road–Connaught Place junction.

Why is INDIA bloc holding the anti-SIR protest?

The INDIA bloc has been protesting against the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, alleging that the exercise has led to large-scale deletion of voters' names and could disenfranchise eligible electors. The Opposition has questioned the manner in which the revision is being conducted and accused the poll body of compromising its independence.

Opposition parties have also approached President Droupadi Murmu and the Supreme Court over the matter. The November 1 mobilisation is part of the alliance's wider campaign against what it describes as 'vote chori', with the demand for Kumar's resignation at the centre of the protest.

Rally follows symbolic 'public impeachment' of CEC

The mobilisation comes a day after the INDIA bloc held a symbolic 'public impeachment' of Kumar at Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge's residence on October 31. Former Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar presided over the proceedings, while Kharge moved a resolution listing the Opposition's allegations against the CEC. Rahul Gandhi delivered the concluding remarks before it was adopted.

Leaders of Opposition parties, civil society representatives and people affected by the SIR exercise participated in the proceedings, which were modelled on parliamentary debates. The resolution accused Kumar of facilitating alleged electoral manipulation and undermining the Election Commission's independence, and called for his removal. The exercise was symbolic and did not constitute a formal constitutional impeachment.

'Stern warning to Modi, Shah': What INDIA bloc leaders are saying

Congress general secretary K C Venugopal on Sunday described the INDIA bloc's rally as a "stern warning" to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, saying the scale of public support had unsettled the government.

"They have lost their composure seeing the magnitude of the public support for the protest. That is why they are making statements that the protestors are anarchists and the agitation was an insult to Parliament. The protest is a stern warning to them," he said.

"Gyanesh will be removed from his post. Take it from us," Venugopal added.

Congress MP Sukhdeo Bhagat said the protest was about protecting democratic institutions and preserving democratic values, alleging that the credibility of the electoral process had been "completely destroyed".

"The issue is not just about any one individual; it is about saving an institution and preserving our democratic values and democratic institutions," he said, calling the rally the "people's own rally".

State Health Minister K Muraleedharan said the INDIA bloc's protest would continue until Gyanesh Kumar resigned as Chief Election Commissioner, claiming that people across the country wanted his removal.

Keralam Chief Minister V D Satheesan had also urged people to join the mobilisation, saying silence was not an option when democracy was under challenge.

"Chalo Dilli! When democracy is challenged, silence is not an option. The Constitution is our strength. The people's mandate is our responsibility. Defending both is our collective duty," he said in a post on X.

Samajwadi Party leader S T Hasan backed the INDIA bloc's rally, describing it as a potential "historic" demonstration if the government allowed it to proceed without interference. Speaking to ANI in Moradabad, the former MP said the mobilisation was aimed at saving the Constitution, protecting democracy and upholding democratic values.

Hasan also criticised the conduct of elections in the country, claiming that India's global image as the world's largest democracy had suffered. He alleged that the country was increasingly being perceived as a "pseudo-democracy", where votes were stolen, fair elections were absent and the principle of "might is right" prevailed.