CEC row: Rahul, Priyanka detained again; dramatic scenes unfold at Jantar Mantar l October 7 highlights
Security arrangements have been heightened in parts of Delhi after INDIA bloc MPs protested against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar on Tuesday, with prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the BNSS now in force around Jantar Mantar Road.
The Opposition leaders had marched towards the Election Commission headquarters demanding Kumar’s resignation over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. After being stopped by barricades, several leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and KC Venugopal, staged a sit-in at nearby Akashvani Bhavan before being detained by Delhi Police.
The detained MPs were later taken to the New Police Lines in Kingsway Camp and subsequently released. Congress MP Pawan Khera said “the trouble has only just begun” and warned that Kumar would “regret” not meeting the protesting Opposition.
Delhi Congress president Devender Yadav said the campaign would continue until Kumar resigns, while other Congress leaders criticised the police action and said the Opposition would not be deterred.
The protest is part of the Opposition’s broader “Save Democracy” campaign over the SIR exercise and its allegations against the Election Commission.
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Key Updates
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Not going to stop protesting till CEC Gyanesh Kumar resigns: Rahul
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday said opposition's protest will not stop until Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar resigns, asserting that this is a fight to protect the "most sacred thing" in the country.
Gandhi also said there is nothing that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah can do that will stop them.
"We are not going to stop protesting till Gyanesh Kumar resigns. This is a fight to protect the most sacred thing in this country. There is nothing that Narendra Modi and Amit Shah can do that will stop us," Gandhi said in a post on X.- PTI
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Rahul Gandhi, INDIA Bloc MPs attempt to breach barricades; Delhi Police push back
The Opposition's protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls turned tense on Wednesday as Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and other INDIA bloc MPs attempted to move past police barricades near Jantar Mantar, following which Delhi Police pushed the protesters back.
Rahul Gandhi attempted to open a barricaded gate but was stopped by police personnel as INDIA bloc MPs tried to proceed towards Jantar Mantar for the protest against CEC Gyanesh Kumar.- ANI -
Police van carrying Rahul Gandhi punctures
The Delhi Police van which was carrying LoP Rahul Gandhi has been punctured by protesters in order to stop the vehicle, according to latest reports.
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"Prior permission is mandatory for organizing demonstration, sit-in, or protest at Jantar Mantar": Delhi Police
The Delhi Police on Wednesday said that prior permission from the competent authority is mandatory for organising any meeting, demonstration, sit-in, or protest at Jantar Mantar, in accordance with the Supreme Court's order in Writ Petition (Civil), Mazdoor Kisan Shakti Sangathan vs. Union of India & Others, and the Delhi Police Standing Order issued in compliance with the said order.
Delhi Police said, "Applications seeking such permission are required to be submitted to the Deputy Commissioner of Police, New Delhi District, at least 10 days prior to the proposed event."
Further, Delhi Police said protests, demonstrations, and sit-ins are prohibited in the Central Vista area, including India Gate, C-Hexagon, Man Singh Road, Janpath, Rajpath, and the adjoining lawns.
The Delhi Police Standing Order of 2022 further prescribes designated venues according to the expected number of participants: up to 1,000 participants at Jantar Mantar, 1,000 to 50,000 participants at Ramlila Maidan and more than 50,000 participants at Burari.
"All concerned persons are required to comply with these directions. Any violation may attract legal action in accordance with law," Delhi Police further said. - ANI -
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"The whole idea is to have a clean electoral roll": Ex-Kerala HC judge PN Ravindran defends SIR
Former Kerala High Court judge Justice PN Ravindran on Wednesday defended the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise, saying it was aimed at ensuring clean and valid electoral rolls and had been conducted several times in the past.
Speaking on the SIR exercise, Justice Ravindran said the ongoing revision is the ninth such exercise and noted that it had also been carried out when the Congress was in power.- ANI -
Chaotic visuals from Jantar Mantar
Photo: PTI -
Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi detained
Amidst the chaos in Jantar Mantar streets, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi among other workers have been detained by Delhi Police.
लोकतंत्र ❌ https://t.co/qihIBKRJT5
— Congress (@INCIndia) October 7, 2026 -
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INDIA bloc holds protest in Patna against CEC
Constituents of the INDIA bloc staged a protest here on Wednesday over their "vote theft" allegations and demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
During the protest march attended by leaders of the RJD, Congress and Left parties, among others, they burned effigies of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and CEC Gyanesh Kumar.- PTI
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Rahul, Priyanka gets off the bus, protests intensify
New Delhi is witnessing chaos on streets as crowd erupts after Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi got off the bus in which they were travelling to Jantar Mantar.
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CEC must be removed immediately: Himachal CPI(M)
Himachal Pradesh CPI(M) State Secretary Sanjay Chauhan on Wednesday demanded immediate removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, alleging that the country's democracy and Constitution are under attack.
He also extended support to the protest march organised by INDIA bloc leaders and MPs in New Delhi.- PTI
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INDIA bloc holds 'save democracy march' in Jammu
INDIA bloc leaders took out a joint 'save democracy' march in Jammu on Wednesday and demanded Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar's removal and arrest.
Leaders of the Congress, National Conference (NC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), CPI(M) and other parties participated in the rally. They carried their respective party flags, raised slogans against the CEC, the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi and burned Kumar's effigy.
Congress working president Raman Bhalla, NC provincial president Jammu Rattan Lal Gupta, PDP youth vice-president Virender Singh Sonu and CPI(M) leaders led the march.- PTI
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Buses carrying Kharge, Rahul move towards Jantar Mantar
Buses carrying Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, along with other Opposition MPs, are moving towards Jantar Mantar to protest against CEC Gyanesh Kumar.
Congress leader Pawan Khera posted on X that the buses were headed to Jantar Mantar after the police did not allow protests elsewhere in the capital.- ANIचलो जंतर-मंतर की ओर... https://t.co/qykriFKAyZ
— Congress (@INCIndia) October 7, 2026 -
"Outright fraud": AAP workers blocked by police while protesting
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders and workers were stopped by police personnel at barricades on Wednesday as they staged a protest march from the Sindhi Academy near Kashmere Gate towards the Delhi Chief Electoral Officer’s (CEO) office.
AAP leader Saurabh Bhardwaj accused the authorities of orchestrating systematic voter deletions, calling the scale of the alleged disenfranchisement "outright fraud." - ANI
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"Fighting for retaining democracy”: Congress leaders hit back at FIR
Congress leaders on Wednesday hit back at the Delhi Police for registering an FIR against party leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and their supporters in connection with the INDIA bloc protest march against the Election Commission.
Congress leader KC Venugopal said the party would not be deterred by the FIRs and would continue its fight to “retain the democracy” of the country. - ANI -
Rahul Gandhi addresses media
VIDEO | After lunch at Sagar Ratna with Opposition MPs, Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) says, "As I said yesterday, approximately 300 MPs wanted to meet the Chief Election Commissioner, but they told that we could not hold a protest there. So, today, our plan is to go to the designated protest site, Jantar Mantar, and sit there together once again, and tell the country that, for us, Gyanesh Kumar is not the legitimate Election Commissioner of the country. Modi Ji, Amit Shah Ji, Mohan Bhagwat, and Gyanesh Kumar have destroyed the democracy of the country. As I said yesterday, those who have done this are traitors to the country, and we will take action against them. I am telling you right now: Gyanesh Kumar will have to resign."When asked about the FIR against him, he says, "I have 45 FIRs against me. My goal is to have 100. I want 100 FIRs to be registered against me. Every FIR is a medal for me."#RahulGandhi #OppositionMPlunch
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 7, 2026 -
'For the nation, its democracy and our future,' Dipke on X
For the nation, its democracy and our future, let’s all come together.Irrespective of your political inclinations, march with the youth to Jantar Mantar on October 10.Vote bachega toh desh bachega. 🇮🇳 https://t.co/RQWgpse5xq
— Abhijeet Dipke (@abhijeet_dipke) October 7, 2026 -
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Dipke confirms the proposed Jantar Mantar protest on October 10
Press conference of all student unions and CJP.10th Oct - Cockroaches are coming to Jantar Mantar! https://t.co/L1I2Mh1dke
— Abhijeet Dipke (@abhijeet_dipke) October 7, 2026 -
Permission denied for CJP protest
CJP activist Saurav Das said the party would go ahead with a peaceful protest despite Delhi Police denying permission for its October 10 demonstration at Jantar Mantar.
Calling for a 'Jantar Mantar 2.0, Das urged leaders and the youth to join the protest and accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah of having an “eternal greed” for power.
Meanwhile, left student organisations are holding a press conference in Delhi as part of their mobilisation over the ongoing campaign against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
“Won’t leave streets until Gyanesh Kumar resigns”: CJP’s Saurav Das submits October 10 protest proposal to Delhi policeRead @ANI Story | https://t.co/9sMU16K8j4 #SauravDas #CJP #GyaneshKumar #DelhiPolice https://t.co/UbYghNtWYN
— ANI Digital (@ani_digital) October 7, 2026 -
Democracy wrecker: BJP lashes out at Rahul Gandhi
A sharp political face-off has broken out between the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the opposition INDIA bloc following the Delhi Police's registration of an FIR against Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, for allegedly forcibly entering the Akashvani Bhavan during an opposition protest march towards the Election Commission of India (ECI) headquarters.
While opposition leaders strongly defended Rahul Gandhi and accused the Centre of resorting to "dictatorial" measures, the BJP launched a scathing counterattack, accusing the Congress leader of attempting to create "anarchy" and defaming constitutional institutions.
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CJP to formally notify Delhi Police of October 10 Jantar Mantar protest
CJP co-convenor Saurav Das to visit Parliament Street Police Station to submit notice for October 10 protest at Jantar Mantar.
Das says, "Gyanesh Kumar, who is a traitor to the country, the number one traitor, an original anti-national, and now even the Supreme Court has said that he is the number one liar in this country, will face a major protest by Cockroach Janta Party and the youth of the country from October 10
VIDEO | Delhi: CJP co-convenor Saurav Das to visit Parliament Street Police Station to submit notice for October 10 protest at Jantar Mantar. Das says, "Gyanesh Kumar, who is a traitor to the country, the number one traitor, an original anti-national, and now even the Supreme Court has said that he is the number one liar in this country, will face a major protest by Cockroach Janta Party and the youth of the country from October 10. Today, the entire Cockroach Janta Party team has come to inform the Delhi Police that we will all gather at Jantar Mantar, the designated protest site and a historic place where protests are held peacefully, on October 10. I have come today for this purpose. We are going to the Parliament Street Police Station. I have prepared a letter stating that we will fully cooperate with you and hope that you will also cooperate with us. We have informed them that a major protest is going to be held at Jantar Mantar in Delhi on October 10. I have come to discuss this with them. We had already informed them earlier, but today we will formally intimate them so that later they do not turn around and say that they were not formally informed."(Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/bIyFWTfmBd)
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 7, 2026 -
Congress does not want to join: Thomas Isaac
What we need today is a united movement of all democratic secular forces for ousting Gyanesh Kumar. Unfortunately Congress does not want to join forces with Jantar Mantar 2.0. The left student organisations provide this crucial link in the on going struggle to protect democracy.
— Thomas Isaac (@drthomasisaac) October 7, 2026 -
Delhi HC to hear plea for body cameras for police during crowd control
Delhi High Court to hear today a PIL seeking directions to the Delhi Police to mandatorily wear body-worn cameras while engaging in crowd control/protest duties, such as at Jantar Mantar.
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'Peaceful protest is a democratic right, show mus go on, ' Saurabh Bharadwaj on X
How Police wants to stop GenZ protest Jantar Mantar 2 Delhi Police through its intelligence branch has made list of all local AAP leaders and Volunteers. Now they are trying to find out addresses of all local leaders and Volunteers.On 10th Oct early morning , they will send police and illegally detain them.Peaceful protest is a democratic right, seeking accountability is democratic right Show must go On !!
— Saurabh Bharadwaj (@Saurabh_MLAgk) October 7, 2026 -
Roll No. 1 - Resigned Sir!Roll No. 2 - Behind Sir! https://t.co/SlImNOoBXm
— Cockroach Janta Party - CJP (@Cockroachisback) October 7, 2026 -
Opposition MPs to seek meeting with CEC Gyanesh Kumar
Congress President and Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge has invited Opposition members of Parliament for a lunch meeting at 1 PM in the national capital, where lawmakers are set to sign a letter seeking an appointment with the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), Gyanesh Kumar, sources said on Wednesday.
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FIR against Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi
Delhi Police on Wednesday registered an FIR in connection with Congress MPs Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and other INDIA bloc MPs allegedly entering the Akashvani Bhavan premises without permission during their protest against the Election Commission of India on Tuesday, police said
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'How long will Mr Gyanesh Kumar hide,' asks P Chidambaram
The Leader of the Opposition seeks to meet the CEC. Why would the CEC refuse to meet him? If the Leader of the Opposition wants to take with him a certain number of MPs, is there not a hall in Nirvachan Bhavan that can accommodate the MPs? How long will Mr Gyanesh Kumar hide behind a wall of secrecy, opaqueness and arbitrariness? The day is not far when Mr Gyanesh Kumar will resign
— P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) October 6, 2026 -
Left students’ group to march to Jantar Mantar on October 10
SFI, AISF, AISA, PSU, AISB said in a joint statement that they will be joining the protest march to Jantar Mantar on October 10, seeking the resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar.
Joint Statement by the Left Students' Organisation to March to Jantar Mantar on the 10th October in large numbers ✊ Gyanesh Kumar your days are numbered, we will unitedly ensure that DEMOCRACY is saved ✊Appealing all citizens to join us. https://t.co/IVIi9g6WBG
— Aishe (ঐশী) (@aishe_ghosh) October 6, 2026 -
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"BJP should not go to this level": DK Shivakumar
Following the detention of Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and other INDIA bloc MPs during a protest in the national capital, Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has come out strongly in their support, stating that they are "fighting for the younger generation".
Speaking to ANI on Tuesday, the Karnataka CM slammed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), alleging voter roll manipulation in Karnataka and urging them to contest elections fairly.- ANI -
'The growing anger will soon overwhelm this government,' Prashant Bhushan on X
The anger against the SIR & Gyanesh kumar has skyrocketed with the removal of >13 Cr voters from the electoral rolls & the disclosure that it has been done in violation of law & without consulting other ECs.The peaceful protests by the youth, MPs & citizens have been met with detentions & sexual harassment of women by the police under orders of Shah/Modi.The growing anger will soon overwhelm this govt & the police who will be unable to suppress them.
— Prashant Bhushan (@pbhushan1) October 7, 2026 -
'CJP firm on its three demands'
CJP made clear that it will continue protest unless its three demands are met.
The government may use every intimidation tactic, but we will not back down.CJP stands firm on its three demands. They are NON-NEGOTIABLE:1. Gyanesh Kumar must resign, and criminal proceedings must be initiated against him.2. Freeze SIR, halt upcoming elections, restore the January 2025 voters list, and order an independent inquiry.3. Repeal the 2023 ECI appointments law and establish an independent, credible selection process.
— Cockroach Janta Party - CJP (@Cockroachisback) October 6, 2026 -
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'United struggle against Vote Chori', activists call press meet
Gyanesh It's Done Bro!Jantar Mantar 2.0 is coming!I'll be joining @SauravDassss , @whattalawyer, @Adarshmsaji and Viraj for a Press Conference Tomorrow 12 Noon at Press Club of India https://t.co/623dDg8GM0
— Neha (@neha_aisa) October 6, 2026 -
Security arrangements heightened near Jantar Mantar
Prohibitory orders under Section 163 BNSS enforced in the area around Jantar Mantar Road, following INDIA bloc MPs' protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar yesterday.
#WATCH | Delhi | Prohibitory orders under Section 163 BNSS enforced in the area around Jantar Mantar Road, following INDIA bloc MPs' protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar yesterday; Security arrangements in the area have been heightenedLatest visuals from Jantar Mantar Road
— ANI (@ANI) October 7, 2026 -
Entire country demands Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation: Kejriwal
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has extended its support to the nationwide movement against alleged 'Vote Chori', with the party's national convenor Arvind Kejriwal demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar.
During his three-day visit to Goa, he stated that the entire country was now united in demanding the CEC’s resignation. -
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Fight against injustice will continue: Aaditya Thackeray
Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray accused the BJP government in Centre of being "arrogant" and said protests across the country were part of a continuing “fight against injustice”.
He also alleged that the BJP-led government in Maharashtra had been formed with the “blessings” of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar. - ANI -
Activist Saurav Das slams delhi police for not wear nameplates
A coward afraid of wearing a name-tag, acting like a joker.
— Saurav Das (@SauravDassss) October 6, 2026
Government reconstitutes Press Council of India with 13 new members
Six editors and seven working journalists nominated to the statutory body headed by Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai.
CEC row: INDIA bloc MPs to stage bigger protest; CJP to hold ‘People’s Tribunal’ in Bengaluru over SIR
Opposition leaders plan larger mobilisation after MPs were stopped from reaching Jantar Mantar and detained during October 7 protest.
Jantar Mantar protests need 10-day notice, capped at 1,000 people: Delhi Police
Police reiterate protest rules as INDIA bloc seeks CEC Gyanesh Kumar’s removal and CJP plans October 10 demonstration.