Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday called the November 1 “Chalo Dilli Ramlila March” against the alleged irregularities in the electoral roll revision a march to save democracy, stop vote theft, and protect the Constitution, underlining that there was no need to worry about the police and lathis (batons). In a post on X, he said the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will not have “the guts” to try any of its antics.
“Come march with us – we will walk together to protect the Constitution, to protect the Indian nation. He added there is no need to worry. “It will be a fantastic march, and it’s a march for the soul of this country. Looking forward to seeing all of you there. Jantar Mantar was de-notified as a designated protest venue, and three new sites across the city were listed for holding demonstrations, months after student protests against exam irregularities forced the then Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan to resign in July. Police were accused of excesses during the Parliament march before Pradhan resigned. One gate has been reserved for the entry and exit of VVIPs such as Rahul Gandhi and other high-profile Opposition leaders. The other will be dedicated to the movement of VIPs and senior officers from Delhi Police and other central agencies.
Gandhi’s post in Hindi and English came as police have made elaborate arrangements to ensure people gathering at Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan for the Congress-led November 1 rally demanding Kumar’s removal over the alleged irregularities in the electoral roll Special Intensive Revision (SIR) do not march towards Jantar Mantar and other restricted zones. The nearly 12-acre Ramlila Maidan, which can accommodate around 50,000 people, has eight entry and exit gates.
Rahul Gandhi said the march is not for any political party but for India’s soul. “All the people who are fed up with [Prime Minister] Narendra Modi, [Union Home Minister] Amit Shah, and Gyanesh Kumar, all the people who want to save democracy, who want to protect the Constitution, you all come,” he said. He said there is only one protest, and it is for the country. “I urge all student groups, regardless of your political affiliation – if you feel that India is under attack, if you feel you are under attack, your expression, your ideas, your way of thinking is under attack, come and join us,” he wrote.
