New Delhi: Lok Sabha Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Saturday invited people to join a march in the national capital ahead of the INDIA bloc’s scheduled mega rally at Ramlila Maidan on November 1.
However, Delhi Police said no permission had been sought for a march starting from Connaught Place.
In a post on X, Gandhi announced the route and timing of the march, saying, “See you tomorrow, let’s walk together.”
According to his post, the walk will begin at the Minto Road junction near Connaught Place at 12 noon on Sunday, proceed towards Ajmeri Gate and conclude at Ramlila Maidan.
Responding to the announcement, Delhi Police reports said no application had been submitted for the march. They added that MPs and political leaders were free to travel in their private vehicles to the Constitution Club, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge’s residence or any other location of their choice.
The reports also said Jantar Mantar, traditionally a protest venue in the capital, had been de-notified as a designated protest site. Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), restricting assemblies and gatherings, is currently in force across the New Delhi area, including near the Election Commission.
Police said extensive security arrangements would be made at Ramlila Maidan, with personnel from several Delhi Police districts, including the Central District, and paramilitary forces deployed.
Meanwhile, INDIA bloc leaders are scheduled to hold their public impeachment programme against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar on Saturday at 3.30 pm at 10, Rajaji Marg, Kharge’s residence.
The programme was postponed on Friday due to rain. Gandhi said the decision was taken by consensus to avoid inconvenience to senior leaders.
He also invited political parties, civil society members, journalists and citizens to join the November 1 march, alleging that the programmes concerned the “demolition of Indian democracy” by Narendra Modi, Amit Shah and Gyanesh Kumar.
Gandhi further alleged that the Union Home Minister was trying to prevent people from travelling to Delhi from several states to attend the rally.
