Rahul Gandhi urges student participation in capital protest demanding Chief Election Commissioner removal

NEW DELHI — Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Thursday appealed to students nationwide to participate in the INDIA bloc’s upcoming capital protest demanding the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

Gandhi issued a video statement on X urging students to ignore law enforcement interference during the November 1 demonstration at New Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan, asserting that the ruling party lacks the courage to disrupt the march. He characterized the event as a unified national platform for citizens aggrieved by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and CEC Kumar, explicitly inviting student organisations across political lines.

The protest anchors a broader escalation by the Congress-led opposition targeting the Election Commission and the central government over alleged electoral roll manipulation during the Special Intensive Revision.

Concurrently, the alliance has organised a symbolic public impeachment of CEC Kumar after authorities denied permission to stage the mock proceedings at Ramlila Maidan. Opposition leaders relocated the programme to the 10, Rajaji Marg residence of Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge.

Congress sources stated that the alternative venue was chosen after presiding officers in both parliamentary houses rejected opposition removal motions in April despite required support. Former Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar will preside over the proceedings on a specially constructed lawn stage, with Kharge introducing the motion.

The event will combine elements of a parliamentary debate and a court hearing, featuring speakers allotted by party strength alongside civil society members, legal professionals, and individuals affected by electoral roll deletions. Senior party figures Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and KC Venugopal have coordinated with state units to drive attendance, assigning western Uttar Pradesh a target of at least 25,000 participants alongside substantial goals for neighbouring Haryana.