Kathmandu : Indian authorities have stepped up security in New Delhi ahead of a major opposition rally scheduled for Sunday, where protesters are expected to demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over a controversial revision of voter lists.
Security personnel carrying batons and shields, along with riot-control vehicles, were deployed around Ramlila Maidan, the designated venue for the protest. Authorities have also announced traffic diversions in anticipation of large crowds.
The protest march will be led by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. Opposition parties expect hundreds of thousands of people to participate in the demonstration, which they describe as a major challenge to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Opposition parties, student groups and the youth-led Cockroach Janta Party have been staging frequent demonstrations since last month, calling for Kumar’s resignation. They accuse the Election Commission of overseeing a voter-list revision that unfairly favours the ruling BJP.
The Election Commission has rejected allegations of political bias, saying voters whose names were wrongly removed can register again. The BJP has also dismissed the accusations, arguing that opposition parties are questioning legitimate electoral procedures and undermining democratic institutions.
According to the protest organisers, Sunday’s demonstration will include a march of approximately 1.5 kilometres from central Delhi to Ramlila Maidan, where a rally will follow.
Delhi Traffic Police has warned commuters about possible congestion and said traffic restrictions and diversions would be introduced as necessary. Police officials said arrangements had been made along both the march route and the rally venue to manage the gathering.
The protests intensified after The Indian Express reported in September that two deputy election commissioners had raised internal concerns over voter-list revisions, registration procedures and digital systems.
The revision process, which began last year, has resulted in the removal of more than 130 million names from voter lists. The figure includes approximately 28 million deceased voters, 63 million people who had relocated and 30 million individuals who could not be traced.
Opposition parties allege that the deletions have disproportionately affected Muslim voters and other minority communities, claiming the changes could benefit the Hindu nationalist ruling party. Both the Election Commission and the BJP have rejected these allegations.
Analysts say the youth-led demonstrations and growing support for opposition parties have created a significant political challenge for Modi, who has been in power since 2014. However, his government remains in office, and the next general election is not scheduled until 2029.
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