New Delhi, October 2026 : Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Sunday appealed to citizens, opposition parties and civil society organisations to join a march to the Supreme Court on Monday to submit a memorandum to Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, raising concerns over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).
In a video message shared on social media, Gandhi said the memorandum would demand an end to what he termed “vote chori”, a halt to the SIR exercise and the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
“Don’t be afraid. We will march together, with love, brotherhood and patriotism. Tomorrow, all of India will march to the Supreme Court,” Gandhi said, urging people to participate in the proposed demonstration.
He said the march would bring together citizens irrespective of political affiliation, gender, caste, community or state, adding that young people, opposition parties and civil society groups committed to democracy and the Constitution should join the initiative.
Referring to a youth protest held in Delhi on Saturday, Gandhi alleged that demonstrators who had gathered peacefully were beaten by police personnel and BJP workers. He said the protesters had come with “love in their hearts, not hatred or anger”.
“This is not the India we want,” he said, reiterating his call for a united march to the Supreme Court.
Gandhi also accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat of attempting to silence dissent. He asserted that the opposition would continue to raise its concerns.
The allegations regarding the treatment of protesters and the conduct of the electoral process were made by Gandhi in his video message.
Earlier, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said opposition leaders had sought an appointment with the Chief Justice of India to convey their concerns about the country's political and democratic environment.
Kharge said he had written to the CJI requesting a meeting and that Gandhi had also sent a letter. The Congress has sought an appointment between 4 pm and 5 pm on Monday.
“We cannot demand anything from him. We will only request him with folded hands,” Kharge said, explaining that the leaders intended to present their concerns to the Chief Justice.
The Congress president also alleged that Prime Minister Modi and Home Minister Shah were creating an atmosphere of chaos in the country. He questioned the deployment of a large number of security personnel ahead of the proposed youth agitation, alleging that the government was creating an atmosphere of fear.
The proposed march marks an escalation in the opposition's campaign over electoral rolls and voting procedures. The memorandum is expected to outline the opposition's demands concerning the SIR exercise, EVMs and the Election Commission's functioning.
The Supreme Court has not been reported as having agreed to the requested meeting, and the outcome of the opposition's proposed representation remains awaited.
