INDIA Bloc Protest: Delhi is seeing two rival political demonstrations on Sunday, November 1, and security has been stepped up across the city. The opposition INDIA bloc is holding its “Chalo Dilli” rally at Ramlila Maidan, while the BJP is staging a separate march in West Delhi. Whether it becomes a real showdown depends on how both days play out. No violence had been reported at the time of writing.
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The Opposition’s Demand
The INDIA bloc’s march runs from the Minto Road junction near Connaught Place to Ramlila Maidan. Its main demand is the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, whom it accuses of allowing irregularities in electoral rolls and in the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise. On October 31, the bloc held a mock Parliament at Mallikarjun Kharge’s residence and listed six allegations against the CEC. The BJP has defended the Election Commission. Organisers claim a very large turnout, though that figure is unverified.
The BJP’s Counter-March
The BJP objects to the date. November 1 falls within the days of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots that followed Indira Gandhi’s assassination. Delhi BJP president Harsh Malhotra says the Congress has hurt Sikh sentiments and should apologise first. The BJP’s march begins at 11 am in Hari Nagar, a Sikh-majority area, led by Union minister Hardeep Singh Puri, with around 5,000 people expected, including families of riot victims. Delhi minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa has also sharply attacked Rahul Gandhi over the timing. The Congress has not been quoted in the reports reviewed here responding directly to the apology demand.
Security and Traffic
INDIA Bloc Protest: Thousands of police and paramilitary personnel have been deployed, with reports putting the number between 4,000 and 10,000. Traffic restrictions are in force from 10 am to 5 pm, with diversions at about 10 major intersections. Congress has alleged that pollution-related GRAP restrictions effective from November 1 were meant to obstruct supporters. Sirsa rejected this, saying the decision was made six months ago.
