LIVE: Rahul leaves SC after INDIA bloc files petition over SIR, CEC row
Jantar Mantar is no longer a designated protest site; Centre names 3 new sites in Delhi
The INDIA bloc is taking its fight against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to the Supreme Court, with Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi leading a march alongside other Opposition leaders. The delegation is expected to reach the court premises shortly to submit a petition against the CEC.
Chief Justice Surya Kant earlier declined to meet Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul over “vote chori” allegations, saying similar matters are sub judice in the Supreme Court.
Also read: CJP to approach police seeking date to hold peaceful protest at Jantar Mantar
Both Rahul and Kharge had written to CJI Surya Kant, seeking a meeting between 4 and 5 pm on Monday to hand over a memorandum, demanding an end to “vote chori”, Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar's resignation, halting of Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, and switching back to the paper ballot format.
Map showing Jantar Mantar, denotified as a protest site, and the three new designated protest sites in Delhi: Ramlila Ground, Burari Ground and CBD Ground.
In response to Rahul's request for a meeting, CJI Surya Kant said on Sunday that no orders can be passed on the administrative side, as he asked the Congress leader to file a petition on the judicial side that may be taken up on Tuesday, the sources said.
The CJI said the Supreme Court is open 24x7 for all citizens if their fundamental rights are violated, they added.
He also said the Supreme Court cannot interfere with the functions of the executive on the administrative side, the sources said.
March for democracy
Earlier, Rahul Gandhi said that Opposition parties, civil society groups and the youth would march to the Supreme Court on Monday to submit a memorandum to the CJI on behalf of the country.
The Congress has termed Monday's protest “Chalo Delhi - March for Democracy”, for which the leaders are scheduled to converge at the Connaught Place-Barakhamba Road junction at 1:30 pm.
In a post on X, Rahul Gandhi said the march to the Supreme Court would be taken out by Indians united beyond parties, gender, caste, community and state.
“Yesterday, the nation's youth came out in Delhi to peacefully protest. They came with love in their hearts, not hatred or anger. They were beaten, both by cops and BJP goons. This is not the India we want.
“Tomorrow, we will march to the Supreme Court as Indians, united beyond party, gender, caste, community and state. Youth, all opposition parties, civil society groups, and all those who believe in democracy and stand by the Constitution of India will walk with us,” Gandhi said in the post.
“Narendra Modi, Amit Shah, Ajit Doval and Mohan Bhagwat cannot silence India's voice. These cowards cannot intimidate us. They will have to step aside. We will march together, with love, brotherhood and patriotism. Daro mat,” he said, adding that “tomorrow, all of India will march to the Supreme Court”.
Rahul also alleged that protesters in Delhi were beaten up by the police and BJP's goons on Saturday. He said they were marching in protest as citizens of the country only because they wanted to protect the Constitution.
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Delhi HC agrees to hear plea against 'closure' of Jantar Mantar as protest site
The Delhi High Court agreed to hear on Tuesday a petition regarding the alleged closure of Jantar Mantar as a protest site in the capital.
A lawyer mentioned the matter before a bench of Acting Chief Justice Nitin Wasudeo Sambre and Justice Sanjay Sharma on Monday, stating that peaceful protests were being quelled as authorities had not earmarked an alternative site for them.
The court also agreed to hear on Tuesday another petition alleging that "outsiders" had entered the protest held over the weekend and harassed the protesters.
National Students' Union of India president Vinod Jakhar's petition sought a "fair, independent and time-bound probe into a series of assaults committed in broad daylight" on October 10 on ordinary protesters.
When the counsel urged the bench to urgently hear the petition regarding the protest site on Monday, the court observed that the issue was also being looked into by the Supreme Court.
"The Supreme Court is equally seized of the matter. Not only that, but the Supreme Court has called on the Union to file their affidavits also. Once the Supreme Court is seized of it, we have to see - to what extent we can look at it again. That's why let us have it tomorrow," the bench responded.
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'All a matter of demokursi’: Cong slams Modi, Shah after Jantar Mantar move
The Congress on Monday attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah over the denotification of Jantar Mantar as a protest site, alleging that democracy no longer mattered to them and that it was all a matter of “demokursi”.
Congress general secretary in-charge, communications, Jairam Ramesh claimed that it was a definite sign of "extreme panic" gripping the PM-HM duo that the historic Jantar Mantar will no longer be a place where democracy is given a daily booster dose.
"The poisonous pair is embattled, and we have seen in the past few days how brutally they have dealt with peaceful public protests," he said on X. "Democracy no longer matters for them. It is all a matter of Demokursi," Ramesh added.
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CPI(M) vows to intensify anti-SIR struggle, condemns Delhi Police action
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In a statement issued after its Central Committee meeting held in New Delhi on October 9 and October 11, the Left party alleged that the SIR threatens democratic rights and the right to vote, and raised questions about the Election Commission's (EC) functioning and independence.
It said the credibility of the poll panel has suffered following a report published in The Indian Express on the SIR process. The party alleged that workers of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) at the Centre are submitting Form-7 applications in bulk to get genuine voters deleted, and raised concerns over changes to the EC's information-technology architecture and an alleged illegal amendment to Form 6.
Condemning the police action against protesters in Delhi, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) alleged that the crackdown, carried out under the Union home ministry's directions, was among the most brutal in recent times and violated the constitutional right to protest.
The statement alleged that police tried to forcibly enter the Harkishan Singh Surjeet Bhawan, where the Central Committee meeting was being held, and entered the Press Club of India after a press conference by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP). The party also condemned the alleged manhandling of its leaders and MPs, women and student protesters.
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Raja Warring says Jantar Mantar denotification shows govt is scared
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