Delhi Tightens Security Ahead of INDIA Bloc's Protest March

Security has been tightened with barricades at multiple locations, while entry and exit at several metro stations will remain closed from 6:00 AM to 4:00 PM on October 12, 2026, for security reasons.

Security personnel have been deployed at Barakhamba Road, near Mandi House. Rapid Action Force (RAF) and Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel have also been deployed alongside Delhi Police personnel.

The entry and exit gates of Patel Chowk, Janpath, Rajiv Chowk, Mandi House, Central Secretariat and Barakhamba Road metro stations will remain closed until 4:00 PM.

On Sunday, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi called on other opposition parties to join the protest march.

"12th October, India marches peacefully as one to the Supreme Court. Students, civil society organisations, Opposition parties: Please join us to defend our democracy," Rahul Gandhi said.

Gandhi announced that the INDIA bloc would take to the streets again on October 12, alleging that Delhi Police personnel and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers used violence against students and women during a protest led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), which demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

"The nation's young came out in Delhi to peacefully protest. They came with love in their hearts, not hatred or anger. They were beaten, both by cops and BJP goons. This is not the India we want," Gandhi said.

He added that the march would bring together people beyond party, gender, caste, community and state affiliations. Gandhi said the protesters would submit a memorandum to the Chief Justice of India, demanding an end to alleged vote theft, a halt to the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise and the resignation of Gyanesh Kumar.

Gandhi also accused Union Home Minister Amit Shah's Delhi Police of resorting to "thuggery" and allowing Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS)-BJP workers to perpetrate violence against women and young people.

"Amit Shah's Delhi Police has not only resorted to thuggery itself but is also giving a free hand and encouragement to the real goons of the RSS-BJP to perpetrate violence against women and the youth," he said.

He further said that attempts by the government to suppress young protesters would only intensify their anger.

"As I had said, the more 'Mogambo Modi' and his government try to suppress them, the more the anger of Gen Z and the students will intensify," Rahul Gandhi said.

Targeting Amit Shah, Gandhi added, "@AmitShah, bring as many police personnel as you wish—10,000, 20,000, or 40,000. Summon as many BJP-RSS goons as you please. We will not be intimidated. We will not back down. This fight will not stop now!"

Congress General Secretary (Organisation) KC Venugopal, speaking to ANI about the march scheduled for October 12 in the national capital, said the agitation had evolved into a broader movement to safeguard democracy and urged people to participate.

"This is not only an agitation, but it has become a movement. This movement is to protect the democratic values and principles of this country. The leader of the opposition, Rahul Gandhi, has given a general call to everybody to protect the democracy of our country. People of India will come and join tomorrow," he said.

Venugopal also said the opposition respected the Chief Justice of India's decision not to meet its delegation but remained committed to marching to the Supreme Court.

"The CJI has declined to meet us, provided that open avenue for giving a petition to the Supreme Court by hand or a general legal way. We respect that decision, but we are very much for marching to the Supreme Court tomorrow..." he said.

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor accused the Election Commission of India (ECI) of ignoring the law. He said opposition leaders would march to demand Gyanesh Kumar's resignation and the suspension of the SIR exercise.

"The Constitution codifies the rights of citizens of India: the right to vote, to determine your own political choices and to safeguard your own destiny. Unfortunately, maligned forces are trying to steal that right to vote from you," Tharoor said in a video posted on X.

He alleged that 130 million Indians had been removed from electoral rolls and accused the Election Commission of disregarding rules and laws.

Tharoor said the Congress party was marching to the Supreme Court to demand justice, suspend the SIR exercise, cancel the rules under which drastic changes had been made, restore voting rights to those allegedly deprived of them and seek the resignation of the Chief Election Commissioner.

Chief Justice of India Justice Surya Kant has rejected the INDIA bloc leaders' request for a meeting to submit a representation concerning alleged electoral irregularities. He said the leaders should approach the court by filing a petition, as the matter is already sub judice.