Chief Justice Surya Kant declined a meeting with the INDIA bloc on Tuesday, citing that the issues raised are already sub‑judice and should be pursued through a petition in the Supreme Court. The opposition, led by Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge, had requested a 4–5 pm slot to hand over a memorandum demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, cessation of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and a return to paper ballots.
In a statement to reporters, Justice Kant said, “The doors of the Supreme Court are open to everyone. Any petition from a citizen or an elected representative will be heard, and whatever is due under the law will be granted.” He added that a formal response explaining his inability to meet was emailed to the leaders.
The INDIA bloc has framed this day’s protest as a “Chalo Delhi – March for Democracy.” Rahul Gandhi posted on X that the march would unite Indians beyond party lines, while Kharge highlighted the heavy police deployment in Delhi, noting that 32,000 police and 7,500 CRPF troops were stationed on Saturday. Both leaders said the government’s crackdown signals a fear of youth agitation.
The opposition has already handed a memorandum to President Droupadi Murmu and plans to converge at Connaught Place‑Barakhamba Road at 1:30 pm for the march. Their letter, signed by the DMK and Aam Aadmi Party, accuses the Election Commission of biased support for the BJP and of arbitrary deletion of names from the electoral roll.
While the Supreme Court will now consider any petitions filed by the opposition, the march is scheduled to start at 2 pm on Monday, with thousands expected to march to the court’s gates.
A Delhi resident, 32, who joined the protest, said she felt the march was “a chance to speak without fear” after being stopped by police in the previous week.