Indian authorities have tightened security in New Delhi ahead of a major opposition march on Sunday, with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and other INDIA bloc leaders set to lead a rally demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Security personnel equipped with batons and shields, along with riot-control vehicles, have been deployed around the planned protest site. Delhi Police have also announced traffic diversions ahead of the demonstration, which is expected to attract large crowds.
Opposition parties say hundreds of thousands of people could join the rally, which will include a nearly 1.5-kilometre march from Central Delhi to Ramlila Maidan.
Organised under the banner of “Save Democracy”, the demonstration comes amid growing protests over a controversial revision of India’s electoral rolls.
Opposition Alleges Voter Deletions Favour BJP
Opposition parties have accused the Election Commission of disproportionately removing voters from communities they believe are less likely to support Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Demands for Kumar’s resignation intensified after The Indian Express reported in September that two of his deputies had raised internal concerns about voter list revisions, registration procedures and digital systems.
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According to figures cited in the report, the revision process, which began last year, removed more than 130 million names from electoral rolls. The deleted entries reportedly included 28 million people listed as deceased, 63 million who had relocated and 30 million who could not be traced.
Opposition parties allege that the deletions disproportionately affect Muslim voters and other minority communities.
The Election Commission has rejected accusations of political bias, maintaining that it does not favour any party. It has also said voters whose names were wrongly removed can apply to re-enrol.
The BJP has dismissed the allegations, accusing opposition parties of weakening public confidence in legitimate electoral processes.
Delhi Police Announce Traffic Restrictions
Delhi Traffic Police said they expected a large gathering and would introduce restrictions and diversions as necessary to manage the crowds.
“We have ensured proper arrangements at the venue, and arrangements are also planned on the route of the march,” senior police officer Rohit Rajbir told news agency ANI.
Footage broadcast by ANI showed riot-control vehicles and security personnel stationed near the rally venue. Public announcements also urged participants to cooperate with police and help maintain traffic movement.
Protests Increase Pressure on Modi Government
Opposition parties, student organisations and the youth-led Cockroach Janta Party have staged near-daily demonstrations since last month over the electoral roll revisions.
Analysts cited by Reuters say the youth-led protests and growing opposition support represent the most serious challenge to Modi since he took office in 2014.
However, the government remains in place, and India’s next general election is not scheduled until 2029.
