New Delhi: Congress announced widespread protests at the state, district and block levels on October 8, observing a “Black Day” for Indian democracy after police action and detention against Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi and others following a protest against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar on Wednesday.
In a note posted by the AICC, the party alleged that Congress leaders were subjected to a lathi-charge, resulting in injuries.
“Today, the BJP-led central government under Shri Narendra Modi crossed all limits. When INDIA bloc MPs—led by Hon’ble Congress President Shri Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Shri Rahul Gandhi—were marching peacefully towards Jantar Mantar to demand accountability from the Election Commission, they were stopped and subjected to force. Shri Rahul Gandhi, Smt. Priyanka Gandhi, our senior leaders, and INDIA bloc MPs were subjected to barbaric mistreatment and a lathi-charge, resulting in serious injuries,” the note signed by Congress General Secretary (Organisation) KC Venugopal read.
Congress termed the police action an “attack on the Constitution” and said that the party will fight till CEC Gyanesh Kumar is removed from the post.
“This attack on the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and on elected representatives of the people is an attack on the Constitution itself. The Indian National Congress declares this day a ‘Black Day’ for Indian democracy. All Pradesh Congress Committees (PCCs), District Congress Committees (DCCs), and Block Congress Committees (BCCs) are directed to organize widespread protests at the state, district, and block/mandal levels tomorrow, Thursday, October 8, 2026,” the note stated.
“The Indian National Congress will continue this fight relentlessly until Shri Gyanesh Kumar is removed from his post and the integrity of our electoral system is fully restored. Please treat this matter as extremely urgent and ensure immediate compliance,” the note read.
Opposition Protest Turns Tense Near Jantar Mantar
The Opposition’s protest against CEC Gyanesh Kumar over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls turned tense as Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and other INDIA bloc MPs attempted to move past police barricades near Jantar Mantar, following which Delhi Police pushed the protesters back.
Rahul Gandhi attempted to open a barricaded gate but was stopped by police personnel as INDIA bloc MPs tried to proceed towards Jantar Mantar for the protest against CEC Gyanesh Kumar.
Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra was seen lying on the ground. According to the Congress, Priyanka Gandhi said, “I will not move from here. This is how they treat MPs who simply want to meet the Election Commission. This is how they beat up MPs. Women police personnel have scratched me all over and thrown us to the ground. Let them call their forces back.”
Both Rahul and Priyanka were among the leaders detained by the Delhi Police.
The protest came amid a sustained effort by the opposition leaders, demanding the CEC’s resignation after reports of internal objections in the ECI and a row over changes in Form 6 during the SIR exercise.
Rahul Gandhi Vows Continued Protest
Amid the ongoing protest against CEC Gyanesh Kumar, Lok Sabha Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi said that the Congress and INDIA bloc would continue to take to the streets, face arrests and legal cases to “save the Constitution and democracy”.
In a post on X, Gandhi said, “To save the Constitution and democracy, the Congress Party and the opposition are ready to take to the streets as many times as needed, face arrests, or endure legal cases.
“This alliance between the dictatorial Modi government and the Election Commission has already been exposed. It is time for resignations and action. An arrogant regime cannot hold out for long against the fervour of the people.”
Gandhi further said that the Opposition would continue its protest until Gyanesh Kumar resigns.
“We are not going to stop protesting till Gyanesh Kumar resigns. This is a fight to protect the most sacred thing in this country. There is nothing that Narendra Modi and Amit Shah can do that will stop us,” he said.
Rahul Gandhi, Other INDIA MPs Detained
Rahul Gandhi was subsequently detained by Delhi Police along with several other INDIA bloc MPs after protesters attempted to move towards Jantar Mantar.
The detention came amid heightened security in the area as Opposition leaders sought to continue their demonstration against the Election Commission.
Gandhi was taken to Barakhamba police station following his detention.
Several INDIA bloc leaders, including Trinamool Congress Rajya Sabha MP Derek O’Brien, were also detained as the Opposition sought to hold a protest against the Election Commission and demand Kumar’s removal.
Congress MP Pawan Khera said, “Everything is before you. We sat on a dharna wherever they stopped us. We are ready to sit here all through the night.”
Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra was also removed from the protest site by women police personnel. Visuals from the protest showed police personnel physically taking her away as the Opposition demonstration continued.
Pawan Khera Questions Police Action
Congress MP Pawan Khera questioned the police action, saying the Opposition was not being allowed to hold a peaceful demonstration at a designated location.
“We are not being allowed to hold a peaceful protest at a designated site, how will democracy work like this? We will come again,” Khera said.
The Opposition MPs had gathered in Delhi after Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge hosted INDIA bloc leaders for lunch before they boarded buses for Jantar Mantar, the designated protest venue.
Police stopped the buses close to Jantar Mantar, preventing the MPs from proceeding to the protest site. INDIA bloc leaders alleged that police used force against them and stopped them from moving towards the venue.
Rahul Gandhi Says 300 MPs Were Denied Meeting With CEC
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday said around 300 Lok Sabha MPs wanted to meet Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar on Tuesday, but were not allowed to do so.
Speaking at the protest, Gandhi said Opposition MPs would head to Jantar Mantar and demanded that they be allowed to reach the designated protest site to demonstrate against the CEC.
“So today, our plan is to hold a protest at Jantar Mantar. We want to tell the country that Gyanesh Kumar is not a legitimate CEC. These people are desh-drohi. Gyanesh Kumar has to resign,” said Rahul Gandhi.
This came after Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge hosted Congress MPs and INDIA bloc allies for a meal at Sagar Ratna in Delhi’s Connaught Place on Wednesday.
Rahul Gandhi Says He Wants ‘100 FIRs’
Gandhi also said he wanted “100 FIRs” to be filed against him, calling every FIR “a medal” for him. He claimed that 45 FIRs had already been filed against him.
He further said CEC Gyanesh Kumar was “not a legitimate EC for us” and alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat and Kumar had “finished democracy”.
Gandhi also accused them of having committed “treason against the country”.
Opposition MPs Head To Jantar Mantar
Opposition MPs later boarded buses and headed towards Jantar Mantar to protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and demand his removal.
Ahead of the protest, Rahul Gandhi reiterated the Opposition’s position, saying, “We will tell people that for us Gyanesh Kumar is not a legitimate CEC.”
Derek O’Brien Says Opposition United
Trinamool Congress MP Derek O’Brien said the Opposition was united in its campaign against Kumar.
“We are all here together, we are all here united, and we are all here without any egos. We will fight the giant, till they are out,” O’Brien said after a meeting of Opposition MPs called by Congress president and Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge, ANI reported.
Protests Against CEC Continue In Delhi
The latest development follows a series of demonstrations in Delhi, where Opposition parties and student organisations have demanded Kumar’s resignation.
Delhi Police had denied permission for a protest planned at Jantar Mantar on October 2, prompting heightened security measures and the imposition of prohibitory orders across the New Delhi district. More than 700 people were detained as protesters attempted to gather near the designated protest site.
AISA national president Neha Bora said earlier on Wednesday that opposition parties, student organisations and other groups would unite for the October 10 protest at Jantar Mantar.
CJP Announces October 10 Protest
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), which has also been campaigning for Kumar’s resignation, announced a protest at Jantar Mantar on October 10.
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke alleged that police notices issued to party volunteers in two states were an attempt to discourage participation in the planned agitation.
On October 7, CJP co-convenor Saurav Das formally notified Delhi Police of the proposed October 10 demonstration.
Police denied permission for the protest, according to reports. Das questioned the need for permission to demonstrate at a designated protest site, arguing that the police should focus on maintaining law and order and ensuring protesters’ safety.
Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Detained A Day Earlier
Wednesday’s detention came a day after Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and several other Opposition leaders were detained following an hours-long protest near Akashvani Bhavan.
The leaders had attempted to march towards the Election Commission headquarters demanding a meeting with the poll panel and the resignation of Gyanesh Kumar.
Opposition Campaign Continues Over SIR
The INDIA bloc has stepped up its campaign against the Election Commission over the SIR exercise, with Opposition leaders accusing the poll panel of electoral irregularities and demanding Kumar’s resignation.
The renewed mobilisation comes against the backdrop of the Opposition’s wider campaign against the SIR exercise. Opposition parties have alleged irregularities in electoral rolls and raised concerns over voters’ rights, while demanding Kumar’s resignation.
The Election Commission has maintained that meetings with political delegations must follow established procedures. Around 300 Opposition MPs were expected to participate in Wednesday’s protest at Jantar Mantar.
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