NEW DELHI — Hundreds of thousands of people gathered at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan on Sunday to protest the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, in a demonstration organized by the Congress-led INDIA bloc.
The rally, addressed by Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, underscored opposition concern over the integrity of India's election process. Protestors, coming from all parts of the country and including those directly affected by the SIR, alleged malpractices that could subvert the popular will.
Gandhi criticized the Election Commission of India's chief, Gyanesh Kumar, for choosing silence amid the controversy, while the ruling BJP has rushed to shield him from criticism. The protest reinforced Gandhi's role as a central challenger to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Opposition parties, including rivals in various states, coordinated for the demonstration, indicating a sense of purpose and pragmatism. The rally was described as the largest show of strength in recent memory.
Gandhi called for accountability of the ECI but was cautioned against misstating the nature of the crisis. In a previous statement, Gandhi had questioned the legitimacy of the last election without providing substantive basis for his allegations.
The demonstration highlights the opposition's unified stance on electoral reform as the country approaches key political challenges. The call for restoration of institutional integrity reflects broad concern about the current state of electoral mechanisms.
