Politics · India · 8 hrs ago
Rajnath Singh and Opposition trade claims over Delhi protests
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh accused Congress and its allies of seeking power through disorder amid protests in Delhi.
The demonstrations called for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s removal and the cancellation of a revision of electoral rolls called the Special Intensive Revision.
Tens of thousands of people took to the streets, while authorities closed Metro stations, shut down internet access, imposed restrictions and deployed 40,000 security personnel.
Congress leaders rejected Singh’s charge, saying they wanted to change the government through elections and were exercising democratic rights.
Kapil Sibal said people wanted a change of government, accusing it of embracing corruption, capturing institutions and manipulating voter lists.
The dispute centres on the protests and claims of electoral irregularities, but no next step is described.
Rajnath Singh accused the Congress and its allies of using protests in Delhi to spread anarchy and seek a change of government on the lines of Bangladesh.
The protests concerned Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.
Congress leaders rejected Singh’s charge, saying the Opposition sought to change the government through elections and democratic means.
Kapil Sibal responded that people wanted a change of government and said it was “time to go” for the government.
Hindustan Times reported that authorities closed Metro stations, shut down Internet access, imposed prohibitory orders and deployed 40,000 security personnel in Delhi.
- Who
- Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Congress and other Opposition leaders, including Kapil Sibal, Pawan Khera and Jairam Ramesh.
- What
- They traded claims over Delhi protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and alleged electoral-roll irregularities.
- When
- Singh spoke on Friday, October 16, 2026; Sibal responded on Saturday, October 17.
- Where
- Singh addressed a press conference in Lucknow; the protests were in Delhi.
- Why
- Protesters sought Kumar’s removal and the scrapping of the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. Singh accused the Opposition of using the protests to seek power and spread anarchy.
Rajnath Singh and the BJP
Congress and other Opposition leaders
Protests’ purpose
Rajnath Singh and the BJP
Singh called the protests a conspiracy to grab power and said they were being used to spread anarchy.
Congress and other Opposition leaders
Khera said the Opposition wanted to change the government through elections, while protesters sought Kumar’s removal and the scrapping of the electoral-roll revision.
Effect on democracy
Rajnath Singh and the BJP
Singh said the protests undermined democratic and constitutional institutions.
Congress and other Opposition leaders
Opposition leaders said democratic protest and opposition to the government were legitimate; Sibal also accused the government of capturing institutions and manipulating voter lists.
Rajnath Singh criticised the Congress and its allies over the Delhi protests and accused them of seeking a change of government on the lines of Bangladesh.
Kapil Sibal responded to Singh, saying people wanted a change of government.
- Protest target
- Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar
- Electoral issue
- Alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls
- Security deployment
- 40,000 personnel, according to Hindustan Times
- Protest demands
- Kumar’s removal and the scrapping of the Special Intensive Revision
- Singh’s press conference
- Lucknow
3 sources
What people are saying
In democracy there is no licence to spread anarchy and attack constitutional institutions
The BJP is not used to democracy when it is on the receiving end of it.
No. People want ‘regime change’.
the job of the Opposition in a democracy is to oppose, expose and depose