INDIA bloc protest Day 3: Rajghat sit-in, BJP hits back at Opposition
Synopsis
For the third straight day, India's Opposition INDIA bloc took its anti-Election Commission agitation to Rajghat, with Rahul Gandhi, Kharge, and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra paying tribute to Mahatma Gandhi while demanding CEC Gyanesh Kumar's head. Mamata Banerjee's arrival in Delhi signals further escalation, even as the Supreme Court is already hearing the SIR case — making this simultaneously a legal and a street battle.
Key Takeaways
The INDIA bloc held its third consecutive day of protests in New Delhi on 8 October 2026 , this time at Rajghat .
The Opposition is demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Rahul Gandhi , Mallikarjun Kharge , and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra led the sit-in; leaders waited nearly an hour before being allowed inside Rajghat.
The INDIA bloc has sought a meeting with President Droupadi Murmu but has received no response from Rashtrapati Bhavan as of Thursday.
Former West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee arrived in Delhi, signalling further mobilisation by the Opposition.
The BJP accused the Opposition of creating 'anarchy' and pressuring constitutional bodies; the SIR issue is before the Supreme Court .
The Opposition INDIA bloc escalated its demonstrations in New Delhi for the third consecutive day on Thursday, 8 October 2026, holding a sit-in at Rajghat and demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The protest drew a sharp counterattack from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which accused the Opposition of attempting to pressure constitutional institutions.
Day 3 at Rajghat: What Happened
Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and parliamentarians of the INDIA bloc first convened for lunch at Connaught Place before travelling by buses to Rajghat. The leaders had to wait for nearly an hour before being permitted inside the memorial, where they paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi.
Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge said the leaders would pray to Mahatma Gandhi for wisdom for the Union government and urge it 'not to take away people's right to vote.' The choice of Rajghat followed Wednesday's demonstration at Jantar Mantar and an earlier march from Parliament to the Election Commission building.
Opposition Demands and Next Steps
Rahul Gandhi stated the protest would continue until the CEC's resignation was secured. CPI(M) MP John Brittas echoed the demand, saying the agitation would persist until CEC Gyanesh Kumar steps down.
Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi said the country was united in seeking the CEC's resignation and urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to respond to the concerns raised by the Opposition. The INDIA bloc has also sought an audience with President Droupadi Murmu, but Congress General Secretary (Organisation) K.C. Venugopal said no response had been received from Rashtrapati Bhavan as of Thursday. The Opposition had first requested the meeting on 2 October, proposing 7, 8, or 9 October as possible dates.
Notably, former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee arrived in Delhi on Thursday as opposition parties prepared to intensify their mobilisation efforts. The INDIA bloc is reportedly considering further escalation options.
BJP's Counterattack
The BJP rejected the Opposition's allegations in firm terms. Union Minister Krishan Pal Gurjar pointed out that the SIR issue is already before the Supreme Court, accusing the Opposition of attempting to create an atmosphere of 'anarchy.' He claimed that people had lost faith in the Opposition.
BJP leader Pradeep Bhandari criticised Rahul Gandhi's street protests ahead of the Supreme Court hearing, alleging the Congress was seeking to pressure constitutional institutions and undermine the judiciary's credibility. Uttar Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya also weighed in, contrasting the current demonstrations with Mahatma Gandhi's historic campaigns. Maurya alleged that recent protests involving Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra had witnessed scuffles and a disregard for decorum, unlike Gandhi's dignity-maintaining movements.
Background: SIR Controversy and Election Commission's Stand
The INDIA bloc has accused the Election Commission of India (ECI) of irregularities in the electoral process, particularly around the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, which critics argue disproportionately affects certain voter groups. The Election Commission and the BJP have both rejected the allegations as politically motivated.
This is the third major street agitation by the INDIA bloc in recent months targeting the ECI, reflecting a deepening standoff between the Opposition and the poll panel ahead of several state elections. The Supreme Court is already seized of the matter, making the protests a parallel — and contentious — pressure track.
What to Watch
All eyes are now on the Supreme Court hearing on the SIR issue and whether President Murmu grants the Opposition a meeting. With Mamata Banerjee's arrival and the bloc's stated intent to explore further options, the intensity of demonstrations is expected to hold — or rise — in the coming days.
Point of View
Not a procedural dispute. But the BJP's counter-framing is equally calculated: with the SIR matter already before the Supreme Court, casting street protests as 'anarchy' shifts the narrative to institutional propriety. The deeper tension is that both sides are fighting the same battle on two fronts — the courts and public opinion — and the outcome on either track will shape the credibility of India's electoral machinery ahead of crucial state polls. The absence of a response from Rashtrapati Bhavan is itself a signal that the executive branch is not inclined to mediate.
NationPress
8 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the INDIA bloc protesting against the Election Commission?
The INDIA bloc has accused the Election Commission of India of irregularities in the electoral process, particularly around the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, alleging it disproportionately affects certain voter groups. The bloc is demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The Election Commission and the BJP have both rejected these allegations.
What happened at the Rajghat protest on 8 October?
Opposition leaders including Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra gathered at Connaught Place before travelling to Rajghat, where they paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi. The leaders waited nearly an hour before being allowed inside the memorial. It was the third consecutive day of demonstrations by the INDIA bloc in New Delhi.
Has the Opposition sought a meeting with President Droupadi Murmu?
Yes, the INDIA bloc has requested a meeting with President Droupadi Murmu. Congress General Secretary K.C. Venugopal said the appointment was first sought on 2 October, with proposed dates of 7, 8, or 9 October, but no response had been received from Rashtrapati Bhavan as of Thursday.
What is the BJP's response to the INDIA bloc protests?
The BJP has strongly rejected the Opposition's position. Union Minister Krishan Pal Gurjar said the SIR issue is already before the Supreme Court and accused the Opposition of trying to create 'anarchy.' BJP leader Pradeep Bhandari alleged the protests were designed to pressure constitutional institutions and undermine the judiciary ahead of the court hearing.
What is the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls?
The Special Intensive Revision is an exercise conducted by the Election Commission of India to update and clean up electoral rolls. The INDIA bloc has alleged that the current SIR process contains irregularities that could disenfranchise voters, a charge the Election Commission has denied. The matter is currently being heard by the Supreme Court.
