Opposition leaders on Wednesday, 28 October 2026, launched a sharp attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) 'Save Democracy, Remove Anarchy' march in New Delhi, accusing the ruling party of weakening democratic institutions and applying a double standard in the grant of permissions for political rallies. The criticism came ahead of the Congress' own mega rally in the capital.

Opposition Voices: Key Reactions

Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Priyanka Chaturvedi dismissed the BJP's initiative as hypocritical. 'Democracy needs to be saved from the Bharatiya Janata Party, given the way it is undermining every institution, whether it is the Election Commission, our financial institutions or our investigative agencies. The way the BJP has misused these institutions to form, weaken and break parties is why we are protesting to save democracy. This has become a case of the pot calling the kettle black,' she said.

CPI(M) leader Hannan Mollah acknowledged every party's right to organise marches and protests, but raised pointed questions about alleged differential treatment by authorities. 'If it is a ruling party's programme, all arrangements are made, and government resources are used. But when it is an Opposition party's programme, numerous restrictions are imposed. The conditions imposed for Ramlila Maidan are the height of brutality,' he said.

Congress Critique: Red Fort Symbol and Public Ridicule

Congress leader Sandeep Dikshit took a pointed swipe at the BJP's march, predicting public ridicule. 'Absolutely, you want to undertake a march to save democracy. Go ahead. That is a different matter that people on the streets will laugh at you. Anyway, if they want to make themselves a laughing stock, they can go ahead,' he said.

Dikshit also questioned the BJP's choice of the Red Fort as the starting point, drawing attention to contradictions in the party's stated approach to Mughal history. 'The Red Fort is a symbol of Mughal power. Why do they keep coming back to this place? According to me, the Red Fort does not even exist in the history they have presented, because they have not included the Mughals in history. So, how will they start a foot march from a monument that does not even exist?' he asked.

NCP(SP) Questions Permission Disparity

NCP (Sharad Pawar) spokesperson Anish Gawande questioned the alleged disparity in how political rally permissions are granted. Referring to the BJP's march, he said: 'Someone should ask him how his rally gets permission when others are not granted permission for their rallies. If you want to organise a student movement, you are not given permission. If you are the parents of Ankita Bhandari, you are not given permission. Why is permission granted only to the Bharatiya Janata Party?'

Gawande further accused the BJP of spreading anarchy and said those allegedly undermining democracy should not be allowed to organise such events unchallenged.

Context and What's Next

The BJP's march and the Congress mega rally are set to unfold in a politically charged New Delhi, with both events converging on 28 October. This comes amid heightened political activity ahead of upcoming electoral cycles, with Opposition parties increasingly coalescing around narratives of institutional erosion and administrative bias. The Congress has been mobilising supporters from across the country for its rally, framing it as a show of strength against the Centre. How authorities manage both events on the ground — and whether permission-related disputes escalate — will be closely watched by political observers and civil society groups.