Rahul Gandhi addressed a packed rally in New Delhi on Monday, alleging that the Modi administration had turned the capital into a fortified zone to shield Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. He said police forces numbering between 20,000 and 30,000 had been positioned at key entry points, effectively barring citizens from reaching the city for demonstrations. “People are being stopped from reaching Delhi,” he shouted, echoing the opposition’s frustration over what it calls an unprecedented clampdown.
The deployment, according to Gandhi, is designed to quash any gathering that might question the elections’ integrity. He pointed to a series of incidents where police allegedly used pellet guns against young protesters, and claimed that members of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh were allowed to roam freely, citing reports of violence against women. These assertions come amid a broader debate on the balance between security and civil liberties in the lead‑up to national elections.
In response, Gandhi warned that the opposition would file a petition with the Supreme Court next week, challenging the restrictions on demonstrations and the alleged police excesses. He urged supporters to stand up for democratic norms rather than for the CEC himself. “We want 20,000 to 30,000 people to stand up,” he said, framing the campaign as a fight for the people’s right to protest.
A young protester from Ghazipur, who was detained last week for chanting against the “fortified Delhi,” said the crackdown had left many feeling silenced. Meanwhile, a police officer in a white jacket told reporters that orders had been unclear, leading to confusion about whether to use force against demonstrators. The Supreme Court is expected to schedule a hearing on the petition by the end of next month.