INDIA bloc rally Live Updates: 10,000 security personnel deployed ahead of INDIA bloc’s Ramlila Maidan protest in Delhi

Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, has appealed to people, including students and civil society groups, to join the gathering — scheduled from 10 am to 5 pm — describing it as a movement to defend democracy and the Constitution.

The INDIA bloc, led by the Congress, will hold its mega rally at Ramlila Maidan against the Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the SIR of the electoral rolls following a report by The Indian Express. Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, has appealed to people, including students and civil society groups, to join the gathering — scheduled from 10 am to 5 pm — describing it as a movement to defend democracy and the Constitution. He also urged protesters to join the rally and shop from local vendors to support them during festive season. Multiple parties have extended support for the November 1 rally and several Chief Ministers and opposition leaders are set to participate in the rally.

The Indian Youth Congress said participants would wear white clothes to resemble “ghosts”, symbolising voters who have allegedly been marked dead or removed from the electoral rolls. There will be tight security and over 3,000 police officers and 10,000 paramilitary personnel will stand on guard — to not only watch over the ground, but also make sure that the crowd doesn’t move out and proceed towards Jantar Mantar. Senior officers said that they expect a footfall of around 50,000.

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The rally comes a day after the public impeachment of Kumar. Claiming that Gyanesh Kumar “will not survive as CEC”, Gandhi said the Opposition has “enough evidence to ensure that this gentleman does not continue in office”. He added: “If the BJP insists on retaining him even after we reveal [the ‘evidence’], its game will be clear for everyone to see.” In response, the BJP said that the Opposition can declare Rahul Gandhi as their ‘mock Prime Minister’. The Bhartiya Janta Party has given a call for ‘counter rally’ against INDIA bloc’s rally on November 1. BJP President Nitin Nabin will lead the counter rally in Rohtak in Haryana.

Following massive protests in the first two weeks of October, Jantar Mantar was denotified as protest site and Delhi Police had picked Ramlila Maidan as one of three agitation sites.

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Nov 1, 2026 08:10 AM IST
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Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi urged attendees of the 1 November INDIA bloc mega rally at Ramlila Maidan to support local Delhi traders by making festive purchases during their visit. Responding to concerns raised by business bodies regarding potential festive disruptions, Gandhi accused the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of spreading rumours among the trading community and asserted that the political gathering would not harm local business. In a post on X, extending greetings for Diwali, Chhath, and Bhai Dooj, he called on the arriving crowds to actively buy goods from small shopkeepers across the capital's historic markets.

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Nov 1, 2026 07:38 AM IST
INDIA bloc gears up for rally at Ramlila Maidan today

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Nov 1, 2026 07:31 AM IST
Rally to begin at 10 am

Good morning!

Hello and welcome to INDIA bloc mega rally blog. The INDIA bloc, led by the Congress, will hold its mega rally at Ramlila Maidan against the Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the SIR of the electoral rolls. The rally is expected to begin at 10 am and a massive footfall is expected. This comes a day after the symbolic impeachment of CEC Gyanesh Kumar.

Stay tuned here for latest updates on the protest at Ramlila Maidan.

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