Opposition plans large rally in Delhi over voter-list revision

Thousands of participants are expected at a rally in Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan organized by the Congress party and the broader INDIA alliance. The event, scheduled to begin around noon, aims to press for the resignation of chief election commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and to demand reforms of the voter-list revision process known as the Special Intensive Revision (SIR).

The Election Commission of India says the exercise is intended to remove deceased voters and those who have moved, but opposition leaders allege it could advantage Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party by excluding eligible voters.

"The march was just the trailer," a party spokesperson told the BBC, adding that the upcoming rally would be "several times bigger than that."

Rahul Gandhi, a Congress MP, said the protest was against "the demolition of Indian democracy" and urged all who support the Constitution and the right to vote to attend. He also wrote on X, "Don't worry about the police, don't worry about lathis – the BJP will not have the guts to try any of their antics."

Delhi police have approved the rally under conditions that it end by 5 p.m., that CCTV cameras be installed at the venue, and that no marches occur outside the designated area. Authorities have deployed thousands of police and paramilitary personnel to secure the site and surrounding roads.

Local traders expressed mixed views: some warned that the protest could affect business ahead of the Diwali festival, while others supported the rally and criticized a recent BJP-led march that disrupted the market.