Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Thursday issued a passionate appeal asking citizens, student bodies, and cross-party groups to join the Congress-led “Chalo Dilli Ramlila March” scheduled for November 1.
Framing the demonstration as a movement for “India’s soul” rather than a single political party, Gandhi urged people to protest against alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and demand the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
In a post published on X in both English and Hindi, Gandhi assured prospective participants not to fear police action or batons, asserting that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will not have “the guts” to try any antics.
“All the people who are fed up with Narendra Modi, Amit Shah, and Gyanesh Kumar, all the people who want to save democracy, who want to protect the Constitution, you all come,” Gandhi wrote. He extended a specific invitation to student groups across all political affiliations who feel that their ideas, expressions, and the nation itself are under attack.
The rally comes amid heightened security measures across the national capital following widespread demonstrations earlier this month over electoral roll revisions. Authorities recently de-notified Jantar Mantar as a designated protest venue, assigning three alternative sites to prevent marches toward restricted areas.
The Delhi Police intelligence unit estimates a turnout of 40,000 to 50,000 people at the 12-acre Ramlila Maidan. To manage the gathering, law enforcement has drawn up extensive security arrangements. Nearly 3,000 police personnel will be deployed around the venue, supported by 150 high-definition, AI-enabled CCTV cameras connected to a temporary control room. Security personnel will wear body cameras to record interactions and prevent allegations of excessive force.
Police have reserved specific entry and exit gates at Ramlila Maidan for VVIPs, including Gandhi, while directing public parking to Rajghat and Mata Sundari College. Authorities confirmed that protesters will not be permitted to march toward New Delhi zones.