Congress defends INDIA Bloc's November 1 Delhi rally, hits back at BJP's Diwali disruption charge
Synopsis
With Rahul Gandhi's 'Delhi Chalo March' set for November 1 — the same day as peak Diwali — the BJP is invoking 1984 and trader losses to demand a date change, while Congress is framing the rally as a democracy referendum. The battle over the calendar is as much about political symbolism as street mobilisation.
Key Takeaways
The INDIA Bloc has scheduled a 'Delhi Chalo March' for November 1 , culminating at Ramlila Ground in New Delhi .
Congress MP Jebi Mather defended the rally as essential for electoral transparency and democratic safeguards.
Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal objected to the date, citing the 1984 anti-Sikh violence and written representations from traders.
Congress leader Udit Raj questioned why traders' bodies did not similarly protest during the farmers' protest or demonetisation .
Raj alleged — without providing evidence — that some traders' organisations were acting under BJP pressure.
Rahul Gandhi is expected to lead the march on foot to Ramlila Ground alongside other INDIA Bloc leaders.
Congress leaders on Tuesday, 27 October 2026, firmly defended the INDIA Bloc's proposed November 1 grand rally in New Delhi, rejecting allegations by Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal that the event would disrupt Diwali celebrations and inflict losses on traders. The rally, anchored by Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi, is set to culminate at Ramlila Ground as part of what the Opposition is calling a 'Delhi Chalo March' for electoral transparency.
Congress's Defence of the Rally
Congress MP Jebi Mather said the event was squarely about safeguarding democratic processes and demanding accountability in the electoral system. 'This is a very important step in ensuring transparency in the election system and ensuring that our democracy is protected,' Mather said. She alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was deliberately framing the issue around Diwali to deflect attention from the Opposition's core concerns about alleged irregularities in the electoral process.
Mather added: 'We want to make this Diwali a celebration of lights, hope and joy, and a victory for democracy. Everybody who believes democracy should be protected will definitely stand for this.'
Udit Raj Questions Selective Concern Over Traders
Congress leader Udit Raj challenged the timing of the traders' objections, asking why business organisations had stayed silent during earlier disruptions — specifically citing the farmers' protest and demonetisation — that he argued caused far greater economic harm. Raj also criticised the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST), alleging that traders faced pressure from officials and instances of extortion. He further claimed that some traders' organisations were acting under pressure from the BJP, though he did not provide evidence to support that allegation.
What the BJP Said
Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal had objected to the November 1 date, citing the gravity of the 1984 anti-Sikh violence in Delhi and written representations submitted by traders. 'Sikhs were subjected to horrific atrocities in Delhi on that day. Traders have also submitted written representations, yet Rahul Gandhi remains adamant that the event must be held on November 1 itself,' Meghwal said. He questioned whether the rally would hurt businesses in surrounding areas during the festive period and asked whether the Congress leader intended to disrupt the celebrations.
The Rally: What Is Planned
On November 1, Rahul Gandhi, along with other leaders of the INDIA Bloc, will lead the 'Delhi Chalo March' on foot to Ramlila Ground in New Delhi. The Opposition has framed the event as a campaign for electoral transparency and voter rights. This comes amid a broader pattern of Opposition mobilisation around concerns over the Election Commission's processes — a theme the bloc has returned to repeatedly since the 2024 general elections.
Political Stakes
The dispute over the rally's timing underscores deepening tensions between the ruling BJP and the INDIA Bloc as both sides contest the narrative heading into the festive season. Notably, the invocation of 1984 by the BJP carries its own political weight — a period widely associated with Congress governance — signalling that both parties are prepared to fight on multiple historical and symbolic fronts. All eyes will be on the scale of attendance on November 1, which will serve as a rough indicator of the INDIA Bloc's organisational strength in the capital.
Point of View
But it also hands Congress an opportunity to reframe the narrative as BJP deploying historical tragedy for political convenience. The traders' angle is similarly complicated: if Udit Raj's line about selective silence during demonetisation lands, it could blunt the BJP's messaging. What the skirmish really reveals is that neither side is confident about controlling the post-Diwali political cycle — and both are using the calendar fight to warm up their bases before the march even begins.
NationPress
27 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the INDIA Bloc's November 1 rally in Delhi?
The INDIA Bloc's 'Delhi Chalo March' is a planned rally on November 1 in which Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi and other Opposition leaders will march on foot to Ramlila Ground in New Delhi. The event has been framed by the Opposition as a campaign for electoral transparency and the protection of voter rights.
Why is the BJP opposing the November 1 rally?
Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal has cited two objections: first, that November 1 marks the date of the 1984 anti-Sikh violence in Delhi; and second, that traders have submitted written representations expressing concern that the rally will disrupt Diwali celebrations and cause business losses in surrounding areas.
How has Congress responded to the Diwali disruption allegation?
Congress MP Jebi Mather rejected the allegation, saying the rally is about electoral transparency and democratic safeguards, not disrupting festivities. She argued the BJP is framing the issue around Diwali to divert attention from concerns about alleged irregularities in the electoral process.
What did Congress leader Udit Raj say about traders' concerns?
Udit Raj questioned why traders' organisations had not raised similar objections during the farmers' protest or demonetisation, events he argued had a far greater economic impact on businesses. He also alleged, without providing evidence, that some traders' bodies were acting under BJP pressure.
What is the broader significance of this row?
The dispute over the rally's date reflects deepening tensions between the BJP and the INDIA Bloc ahead of a politically charged festive season. The Opposition's repeated focus on electoral transparency signals an attempt to keep concerns about the Election Commission's processes alive as a mobilising issue beyond the 2024 general elections.
