Opposition INDIA bloc marches to Supreme Court despite CJI’s refusal to meet

On Monday, October 12, 2026, the Opposition INDIA bloc announced a march to the Supreme Court, urging youth, opposition parties and civil society to join a protest against alleged “vote chori”. Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi called the rally “Chalo Delhi – March for Democracy” and asked participants to converge at Connaught Place‑Barakhamba Road junction at 1.30 pm. The bloc intends to hand a memorandum to Chief Justice Surya Kant demanding an end to vote theft, a halt to the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls and the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi sought a meeting with the CJI between 4 pm and 5 pm on the same day, but Surya Kant declined, citing that the matters were already sub judice in the Supreme Court and that the judiciary cannot intervene in administrative governance. The CJI’s office confirmed the refusal “with reasons”.

The march follows two days of anti‑CEC protests that began on October 10, when around 7,000 demonstrators, including members of the Cockroach Janata Party, were detained as authorities blocked access to Jantar Mantar. Six Delhi metro stations remained shut on day three of the unrest, reflecting the heightened security clampdown.

Gandhi’s statements on X emphasized a united front beyond party, caste or region, urging citizens to protect the Constitution. He reiterated demands for an end to vote chori, suspension of SIR, and the CEC’s resignation, while accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat of trying to silence dissent. What to watch: potential legal challenges and further protest developments.

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