Archive · 9 Oct 2026
Opposition Holds Rajghat Sit-In, Vows to Continue Protest
Opposition leaders gathered at Mahatma Gandhi’s memorial in Delhi to protest against election chief Gyanesh Kumar.
It was their third day of demonstrations.
They travelled there by bus, paid respects to Gandhi and sat quietly.
The leaders accused the government and election chief of taking votes unfairly.
Those accusations are the opposition’s claims.
They said they would keep protesting and wanted to meet the President.
Reports differed about when and how that meeting might happen.
Separately, 42 retired judges said the Election Commission’s voter-list revision was lawful.
INDIA bloc leaders held a peaceful sit-in at Rajghat on Thursday, the third day of protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Led by Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge, MPs travelled by bus from Connaught Place, paid floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi and sat in silence.
Opposition leaders alleged vote theft and said voting rights and the Constitution were under threat; these were their claims.
The leaders said protests would continue Friday and sought a meeting with President Droupadi Murmu, though reports differed on the planned meeting’s timing and route.
A separate open letter signed by 42 retired judges defended the Election Commission and described its special intensive revision of electoral rolls as lawful.
- Who
- INDIA bloc leaders and MPs, including Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge; separately, 42 retired judges commented on the Election Commission’s voter-roll revision.
- What
- Opposition leaders staged a sit-in at Rajghat and called for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to resign or be removed.
- When
- Thursday, October 8, the third consecutive day of protests; the articles do not consistently establish the year.
- Where
- Rajghat, New Delhi.
- Why
- Opposition leaders said they were protesting alleged vote theft and seeking to protect voting rights and the Constitution.
Opposition leaders’ allegations
Retired judges’ position
Electoral-roll revision and alleged vote theft
Opposition leaders’ allegations
Opposition leaders alleged vote theft and said voting rights and the Constitution were under threat; they demanded Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation or removal.
Retired judges’ position
An open letter signed by 42 retired judges defended the Election Commission and described its special intensive revision of electoral rolls as lawful.
- Protest location
- Rajghat, New Delhi
- Date and duration
- Thursday, October 8; third consecutive day of protests
- Opposition’s demand
- Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation or removal
- Journey to Rajghat
- Leaders travelled from Moets in Connaught Place in three buses; reports described the route as about 4.5 to 5 kilometres.
- Next steps
- Leaders said protests would continue Friday and sought a meeting with President Droupadi Murmu. Reports differed on the meeting’s timing and whether a march to Rashtrapati Bhavan was planned.
- Retired judges’ letter
- An open letter signed by 42 retired judges defended the Election Commission and called its special intensive revision of electoral rolls lawful.
- Election Commission changes
- One report said the Commission rolled back changes to Form 6 and announced special drives to enrol voters who had been left out.
Sources
Opp SIR protest reaches Rajghat, MPs pray for 'good sense' on Gyanesh at Gandhi memorial - Telegraph India
Day after detentions, Rahul Gandhi-led Opposition’s silent protest at Raj Ghat
Opposition leaders stage sit-in at Rajghat on 3rd day of protests against CEC, ‘vote chori’
Oppn leaders pray at Rajghat, protest against CEC continues
DAY 3: INDIA bloc protest reaches Rajghat; next stop — Rashtrapati Bhavan
