The announcement followed a late‑night meeting of the INDIA bloc in New Delhi, where Kharge signalled a coordinated effort to challenge what the opposition calls a back‑door electoral overhaul. The SIR, a set of revisions to the Election Commission's rules, is alleged to favour incumbents and undermine neutrality. Kharge said the marches would be a ‘democratic check’ against the government’s perceived drift from constitutional norms. He urged citizens to rally in their districts from Oct 2 to Oct 8.
On Oct 6, 350 opposition MPs from the Congress, Shiv Sena, BSP and other parties will converge on the ECI headquarters. They plan to deliver a petition and hold a sit‑in demanding the Commission halt the SIR. The protest will be led by senior MP Arvind Kejriwal, who warned the government that any delay could trigger a constitutional crisis. The opposition has already filed a case with the Supreme Court.
The SIR was introduced by the Election Commission on July 12, citing the need to modernise voter data. Critics argue it expands the power of the CEC to amend electoral rolls without independent oversight. CEC Gyanesh Kumar has defended the changes as technical, but his tenure has been marred by allegations of partisanship. A spokesperson for the CEC said the Commission will review all petitions before the next general election.
A 45‑year‑old farmer from Wardha, Madhya Pradesh, said he will join the march, hoping the reforms do not disenfranchise rural voters. He added that the democratic spirit must be preserved for the next generation. Local NGOs will provide logistical support and safety for the participants. The march is expected to attract thousands from across the state.
The ECI will receive the opposition’s petition on Oct 6 and is expected to issue a response by Oct 10. The government will address the protest in a televised address on Oct 11. Legal experts predict the Supreme Court may intervene if the SIR is found unconstitutional. The opposition’s campaign will continue until the end of the week.