Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, has issued a public invitation for citizens to join a march in New Delhi on Sunday, ahead of a major INDIA bloc rally scheduled for November 1 at Ramlila Maidan. In a post on X, Gandhi outlined the march's route, which is slated to begin at noon at the Minto Road junction near Connaught Place, proceeding to Ajmeri Gate and ending at the rally venue. He stated, "See you tomorrow, let's walk together."
However, Delhi Police sources have indicated that no formal application for permission to conduct this march has been received. Officials noted that while political leaders and Members of Parliament are permitted to travel to locations such as the Constitution Club or the residence of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge in private vehicles, the New Delhi area is currently under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), which restricts public assemblies. Furthermore, police clarified that Jantar Mantar is no longer a designated protest site.
Security preparations for the November 1 rally at Ramlila Maidan are underway, with plans to deploy personnel from multiple police districts alongside paramilitary forces. This follows the rescheduling of a separate INDIA bloc event concerning the proposed impeachment of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Originally set for Friday, the event was moved to Saturday at 3:30 pm at Mallikarjun Kharge's residence due to inclement weather. Explaining the delay, Gandhi said, "By consensus, we have decided to postpone today's program to tomorrow at the same time because of rain. We felt that it would be uncomfortable for seniors to sit in the rain, and we will hold the same program tomorrow."
Gandhi has framed both the upcoming march and the impeachment-related program as a stand against what he described as the "demolition of Indian democracy" by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and the Election Commission. He also alleged that the Union Home Minister is actively obstructing supporters from states including Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana, Telangana, and Punjab from traveling to the capital to participate in the rally.
