‘Every FIR is a medal’: Rahul Gandhi marches to Jantar Mantar, riot police deployed as Opposition demands CEC’s resignation

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday said the Opposition would hold its protest at Jantar Mantar, a designated protest site, after a lunch hosted by party president Mallikarjun Kharge for Opposition MPs. The remarks come amid escalating protests against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in electoral rolls and the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise.

Gandhi said approximately 300 MPs had wanted to meet Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar but were told they could not hold a protest there.

“So, today, our plan is to go to the designated protest site, Jantar Mantar, and sit there together once again, and tell the country that, for us, Gyanesh Kumar is not the legitimate Election Commissioner of the country,” Gandhi said.


Accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat and Kumar of having “destroyed the democracy of the country”, Gandhi said those responsible would face action.

Also read: CJP, student groups unite against CEC Gyanesh Kumar, call for nationwide mobilisation

“As I said yesterday, those who have done this are traitors to the country, and we will take action against them. I am telling you right now: Gyanesh Kumar will have to resign,” he said, reiterating the Opposition's demand for the CEC's resignation.

Asked about the FIR registered against him, Gandhi said he already had 45 FIRs against him and wanted the number to reach 100.

“I have 45 FIRs against me. My goal is to have 100. I want 100 FIRs to be registered against me. Every FIR is a medal for me,” he said.

Opposition MPs later boarded buses and headed towards Jantar Mantar to protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and demand his removal, PTI reported. Ahead of the protest, Rahul Gandhi reiterated the Opposition's position, saying, “We will tell people that for us Gyanesh Kumar is not a legitimate CEC.”

Trinamool Congress MP Derek O'Brien said the Opposition was united in its campaign against Kumar. “We are all here together, we are all here united, and we are all here without any egos. We will fight the giant, till they are out,” O'Brien said after a meeting of Opposition MPs called by Congress president and Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge, ANI reported.

The latest development follows a series of demonstrations in Delhi, where Opposition parties and student organisations have demanded Kumar's resignation. Delhi Police had denied permission for a protest planned at Jantar Mantar on October 2, prompting heightened security measures and the imposition of prohibitory orders across the New Delhi district. More than 700 people were detained as protesters attempted to gather near the designated protest site.

Also read: Rahul Gandhi fighting SIR, 'diabolical duo' busy filing FIR: Congress

AISA national president Neha Bora said earlier on Wednesday that opposition parties, student organisations and other groups would unite for the October 10 protest at Jantar Mantar.

The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), which has also been campaigning for Kumar's resignation, announced a protest at Jantar Mantar on October 10. CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke alleged that police notices issued to party volunteers in two states were an attempt to discourage participation in the planned agitation. The party has accused authorities of trying to suppress its campaign.

On October 7, CJP co-convenor Saurav Das formally notified Delhi Police of the proposed October 10 demonstration. Police denied permission for the protest, according to reports. Das questioned the need for permission to demonstrate at a designated protest site, arguing that the police should focus on maintaining law and order and ensuring protesters' safety.

The renewed mobilisation comes against the backdrop of the Opposition's wider campaign against the SIR exercise. Opposition parties have alleged irregularities in electoral rolls and raised concerns over voters' rights, while demanding Kumar's resignation. The Election Commission has maintained that meetings with political delegations must follow established procedures.