Archive · 8 Oct 2026
INDIA Bloc Leaders March to Rajghat, Accuse Centre of Undermining Rights
Leaders from the INDIA opposition bloc said they were going to Rajghat in New Delhi to hold a peaceful protest.
Mallikarjun Kharge said the government was not protecting people’s rights and raised concerns about voting, prices and young people’s difficulties.
Rahul Gandhi said nearly 300 lawmakers wanted to take part.
He said opposition members had been stopped from protesting at two other locations.
The leaders said they would continue to challenge what they consider damage to democratic freedoms.
These claims and accusations were made by the opposition leaders.
Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi said INDIA bloc MPs were marching to Rajghat for a peaceful sit-in and prayer.
Kharge accused the BJP-led government of undermining democratic rights and institutions, citing alleged vote theft, inflation and youth problems.
Rahul Gandhi said nearly 300 MPs from both Houses wanted to join the demonstration.
Gandhi said opposition members had been stopped from protesting outside the Election Commission and at Jantar Mantar over two days.
The Opposition has sought permission to protest on several issues, including alleged irregularities in the electoral process.
- Who
- Congress leaders Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi, and other INDIA bloc MPs.
- What
- They said they were marching to Rajghat for a peaceful sit-in protest and prayer.
- When
- Thursday; Gandhi said opposition MPs had been prevented from protesting for the previous two days.
- Where
- Rajghat, New Delhi; earlier protest attempts were described at the Election Commission and Jantar Mantar.
- Why
- To protest over issues including alleged electoral irregularities and what the leaders say are threats to democratic rights and institutions.
Opposition leaders' allegations
Government position
Democratic rights and institutions
Opposition leaders' allegations
Kharge and Gandhi accused the BJP-led government of undermining democratic rights, institutions and constitutional freedoms.
Government position
The article does not include a response or position from the government.
Electoral process
Opposition leaders' allegations
Opposition parties cited alleged irregularities and vote theft as reasons for protesting.
Government position
The article provides no government response to these allegations.
Restrictions on protests
Opposition leaders' allegations
Gandhi said MPs were stopped from protesting outside the Election Commission and at Jantar Mantar, and alleged their members were assaulted.
Government position
The article does not provide a response from authorities.
- Protest site
- Rajghat, also described as the Gandhi Memorial
- Participants
- Congress and other INDIA bloc MPs
- Estimated attendance
- Rahul Gandhi said nearly 300 MPs from the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha wanted to participate.
- Earlier protest locations
- Outside the Election Commission and at Jantar Mantar, according to Gandhi
- Issues raised
- Alleged electoral irregularities, voting rights, inflation, youth concerns and democratic freedoms
- Protest described as
- A peaceful sit-in and prayer