in Delhi on Sunday Big rally of INDIA alliance Is going to happen. Opposition parties have expressed hope of gathering around 10 lakh people in this rally. However, Delhi Police's estimate is much less than this. According to the police, around 50 thousand people may participate in the rally. In view of the crowd and security arrangements, more than 4 thousand policemen are being deployed. Ramlila Maidan will be monitored with more than 200 CCTV cameras, drones and body-worn cameras.
This rally is being organized to protest against alleged irregularities in the electoral process and to demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The opposition alleges that there have been large-scale irregularities in the voter list and names of a large number of voters have been removed during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR). Opposition parties are calling it a case of 'vote theft'. To raise its voice on this issue, INDIA alliance has prepared for a show of strength in Delhi.
'Chalo Delhi' program will start from March
- Before the rally, 'Chalo Delhi' march will be taken out by INDIA alliance. This march will start from the junction of Minto Road and Connaught Place and reach Ramlila Maidan at 12 noon. After this the main rally will be organized at Ramlila Maidan. The scheduled time of the program has been kept from 10 am to 5 pm.
- To join the rally, INDIA alliance leaders can reach the starting point of the march in open buses from the residence of Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge.
- Apart from leaders and workers of opposition parties, people associated with student organizations and civil society are also expected to participate in this event.
- INDIA Alliance has also appealed to students, youth, women and laborers to reach the rally.
- Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), whose founder is Abhijeet Dipke, and many student organizations have also supported this mobilization. In this way, instead of limiting the rally to only political parties, efforts are being made to include various social and student organizations as well.
10 lakh vs 50 thousand: different estimates regarding the crowd
There is a big difference in the estimates of the opposition and the police regarding how many people will reach the rally. Leaders of INDIA alliance have expressed hope of gathering of up to 10 lakh people, while Delhi Police's estimate is around 50 thousand people. The empty Ramlila Maidan has the capacity to stand around 45 thousand to 50 thousand people, but during the rally, chairs, separate circles and access routes will be made. Due to this, the actual capacity of the ground may reduce to around 30 thousand to 40 thousand. Additional space will also be kept outside the ground, so that people can be accommodated if the crowd inside increases. Police preparations are being made keeping in mind that the crowd can be controlled both inside and outside the ground.
More than 4 thousand policemen deployed for security
- Keeping in view the possibility of a large number of people arriving at the rally, Delhi Police has made elaborate security arrangements.
- Companies of Central Armed Police Forces will also be deployed along with more than 4 thousand policemen. They will be deployed on the march route and around Ramlila Maidan.
- To handle the security arrangements better, Ramlila Maidan has been divided into 14 zones. Each zone will be monitored by an officer of the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police i.e. ACP. This will help in keeping an eye on different parts of the crowd and taking immediate action in any situation.
- More than 200 CCTV cameras will be installed for surveillance. Apart from this, drones and body-worn cameras of policemen will also be used.
- A control room has been set up inside the ground, from where security and other arrangements will be monitored.
Traffic diversion on many roads of Delhi
- Due to the rally and march, traffic may be affected in many major areas of Delhi on Sunday.
- Traffic restrictions will remain in force in some parts of the city from 10 am to 5 pm.
- At many major intersections, arrangements have been made to divert vehicles to other routes.
- Diversions have been planned at major junctions like ITO, Delhi Gate, Rajghat, Ajmeri Gate and Turkman Gate.
- Police have advised people to avoid Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, Jawaharlal Nehru Marg, Minto Road and Deshbandhu Gupta Road.
- In such a situation, people passing through these routes will need to plan their journey in advance.
- Especially on Sunday, drivers going to these areas may have to use alternative routes.
Special arrangements for those going to LNJP and GB Pant Hospital
Special arrangements will also be made to maintain access of emergency services to hospitals amid traffic restrictions. According to the police, arrangements will be made so that ambulances and other emergency vehicles do not face any problem in reaching LNJP and GB Pant Hospital. Passengers going to New Delhi Railway Station have also been advised to allow extra time for their journey and keep in mind possible traffic diversions en route. There is a possibility of increase in crowd on the surrounding roads due to the rally.
Permission granted for rally, but situation is different on application for march
Delhi Police has given permission to organize the rally at Ramlila Maidan. However, the police say that they have not received any application for the proposed march from Minto Road-Connaught Place junction. This difference is important because getting permission for a rally and getting permission for a march are two different things. In such a situation, the arrangement between the police and the organizers regarding both the parts of the program will also be monitored.
Why is this rally important for the opposition?
This rally of the INDIA alliance is part of the opposition's protest against alleged irregularities in the electoral process and the Special Intensive Revision of Voter List (SIR). The opposition alleges that names of a large number of voters were removed during SIR and this raises questions on the fairness of the electoral process. Regarding this issue, the alliance is demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Through the rally, opposition parties will try to show unity on this issue and raise it at the national level. Now it has to be seen how much crowd actually gathers at Ramlila Maidan and how much this show of strength of the opposition can advance its campaign regarding the election process.