Man beaten at Opposition protest in Delhi for chanting pro-Modi slogans
Synopsis
A man chanting pro-Modi slogans was dragged and beaten at an Opposition protest in New Delhi, as demonstrations over the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision exercise entered their third day. The viral video handed the BJP a sharp counter-narrative, with spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari calling the Congress 'anarchist' — even as the deeper row over alleged voter deletions and procedural violations at the ECI remains unresolved.
Key Takeaways
A man was dragged and assaulted at an Opposition protest in New Delhi on 8 October 2026 after chanting pro-Modi slogans.
The protest was organised against alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) by the Election Commission of India , now in its third consecutive day .
BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari shared the viral video and called the Congress party's conduct 'anarchist'.
Congress alleges the ECI manipulated electoral rolls and deleted voters under the SIR; the BJP calls the exercise 'routine'.
Two Election Commissioners reportedly recorded objections on at least 14 occasions , including over the addition of a declaration in Form 6 without due approvals.
The exact location of the assault has not been independently verified; the incident remains attributed to footage circulating on social media.
A man was dragged and assaulted by a crowd at an Opposition protest in New Delhi on 8 October 2026, reportedly after he began chanting slogans in support of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The incident, captured on video that has since circulated widely, took place as demonstrations against alleged discrepancies in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) by the Election Commission of India (ECI) entered their third consecutive day.
What the Video Shows
In the footage, the man is seen being pushed, slapped, and repeatedly struck by members of the crowd — identified as Congress supporters — after he reportedly raised pro-Modi chants at the protest site. Some individuals in the crowd are visibly attempting to intervene and pull others away, but the assault continues for several seconds before the situation de-escalates.
The precise location of the incident has not been independently verified. However, the visuals are consistent with Central Delhi, where senior Indian National Congress leaders were scheduled to convene for a midday meeting to determine the party's next steps in its campaign against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar.
BJP's Response
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari shared the video and launched a sharp attack on the Congress. 'Shame on Congress workers! When a citizen of India raised slogans in favour of PM Modi, Congress workers encircle him and beat him up!' Bhandari said. He further alleged: 'Anarchist Congress is now attacking — We The People of India,' and added, 'The fight is between People of India who want to save Democracy and Anarchist Congress!'
The BJP characterised the violence as emblematic of what it called an 'anarchist mindset' within the opposition party, using the incident to frame the protests as driven by lawlessness rather than legitimate grievance.
What the Protests Are About
The demonstrations were triggered by a report in a leading national daily alleging that two Election Commissioners had recorded objections on at least 14 occasions, and that an additional declaration requirement in Form 6 for new voter registration was added without the requisite approvals.
The Congress and allied Opposition parties allege that the ECI, acting at the ruling party's direction, has manipulated electoral rolls under the cover of the SIR exercise — specifically by deleting legitimate voters. The BJP has consistently maintained that the SIR is a routine exercise conducted every decade since Independence and carries no political motive.
Broader Context
This is the third straight day of Opposition protests centred on the electoral rolls controversy, with pressure on CEC Gyanesh Kumar mounting from multiple parties. The incident involving the assault adds a new, volatile dimension to what had until now been a largely procedural political dispute. Notably, incidents of violence at political demonstrations — from either side — tend to shift media focus away from the underlying policy arguments and onto questions of law and order. All three major claims in this episode — voter deletions, procedural violations at the ECI, and the identity of the mob — remain attributed and not independently verified by NationPress.
How both parties respond in the coming days is likely to shape the political temperature ahead of key state electoral cycles.
Point of View
At its core, a serious procedural question about electoral roll integrity. The Congress faces a familiar dilemma: street protests energise the base but create flashpoints that opponents can weaponise. Meanwhile, the ECI controversy — involving recorded objections from two commissioners and an unapproved Form 6 addition — deserves far more scrutiny than it is likely to receive now that violence has entered the frame.
NationPress
8 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened at the Opposition protest in New Delhi on 8 October?
A man was dragged, slapped, and beaten by a crowd of Congress supporters at an Opposition protest in New Delhi on 8 October 2026, reportedly because he chanted pro-Modi slogans. A video of the incident went viral on social media, prompting sharp criticism from the BJP.
What is the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) that sparked the protests?
The Special Intensive Revision is an exercise conducted by the Election Commission of India to update electoral rolls. Opposition parties allege it has been used to manipulate rolls and delete eligible voters; the BJP calls it a routine decade-long exercise with no political agenda.
What did BJP's Pradeep Bhandari say about the incident?
BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari shared the viral video and accused Congress workers of having an 'anarchist mindset', saying: 'Shame on Congress workers! When a citizen of India raised slogans in favour of PM Modi, Congress workers encircle him and beat him up!' He framed it as an attack on democratic freedoms.
Why is Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar under Opposition attack?
The Opposition's campaign against CEC Gyanesh Kumar intensified after a report alleged that two Election Commissioners recorded objections on at least 14 occasions, and that a declaration requirement in Form 6 for new voters was added without proper approvals. Congress alleges the CEC is acting at the ruling party's behest.
Is the assault location confirmed?
No. The exact location of the incident has not been independently verified. Visual clues in the footage suggest it may be in Central Delhi, where Congress leaders were scheduled to meet on 8 October, but this has not been officially confirmed.
