Rahul Gandhi Calls for Massive March to Supreme Court Over ‘Vote Chori’ Allegations
In a significant escalation of the ongoing stand-off between the Opposition and the Election Commission, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has announced a nationwide call to action. On Monday, Gandhi plans to lead a march to the Supreme Court to protest against what he describes as “vote chori” (electoral theft) and to demand the immediate resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha took to social media to urge citizens, civil society organizations, and political leaders to unite beyond traditional boundaries of caste, gender, and state. The proposed march serves as a formal vehicle for protesters to submit a memorandum to the Chief Justice of India, seeking a halt to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and expressing a lack of confidence in the current leadership of the Election Commission.
Allegations of State-Sponsored Violence
Gandhi’s call to protest follows a weekend of unrest in the national capital. Demonstrators associated with the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) had gathered to voice their grievances regarding irregularities in the SIR process, leading to widespread clashes. Gandhi condemned the authorities, alleging that peaceful protesters were subjected to brutality by both Delhi Police personnel and “BJP goons.”
“This is not the India we want,” Gandhi stated in his post. He directly challenged the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, NSA Ajit Doval, and RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, asserting that their attempts to silence the public would fail. Embracing the rallying cry “Daro mat” (Do not fear), he invited all democratic forces to join the march, promising a demonstration rooted in “love, brotherhood, and patriotism.”
Continued Tensions in the Capital
The political atmosphere in Delhi remains volatile. On Saturday, authorities conducted mass detentions, sweeping up key Opposition figures including Arvind Kejriwal, Mamata Banerjee, and Pinarayi Vijayan, as well as prominent activists and student leaders. Despite the heavy police presence and the imposition of barricades across central Delhi, the CJP has vowed to continue its agitation.
The unrest continued into Sunday, with further detentions reported at various locations, including Connaught Place. Among those taken into custody by the police were CPI(M) Rajya Sabha MP John Brittas and student leader Neha Bora. The persistent police action has only served to sharpen the Opposition’s resolve to seek accountability for what they term a violation of constitutional rights.
Supreme Court Intervention
As the protests intensified, the Supreme Court stepped in to issue directives to the Centre. The bench emphasized that any restrictions on public assembly and movement must strictly adhere to the provisions outlined under Article 19(2) of the Constitution, which protects the right to protest.
Furthermore, in a move aimed at maintaining order and convenience for the public, the top court instructed the government to ensure the uninterrupted operation of the Delhi Metro and rail services. It also mandated that internet services remain active throughout the protest period, curbing the possibility of a blanket digital blackout. As the nation watches, the planned march to the Supreme Court on Monday is expected to be a pivotal moment in the ongoing conflict over the integrity of the electoral process.
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