Congress brands Oct. 8 a ‘Black Day’ as MPs detained in Delhi protest
Congress declared October 8 a “Black Day” for Indian democracy after its leaders were detained while protesting the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls at Jantar Mantar.
Congress has called October 8 a “Black Day” for Indian democracy and urged its state, district and block committees to stage protests across the country. During a demonstration against the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi led a group of INDIA bloc MPs toward Jantar Mantar in Delhi. The delegation was stopped by police barricades, and officers employed a lathi charge that left several participants injured.
Priyanka Gandhi was seen on the ground, claiming that women police officers scratched her and that protesters were pushed down. The All India Congress Committee described the police response as an assault on the Constitution and said the protest would continue until Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar steps down. The opposition has been pressing for Kumar’s resignation amid internal objections to the SIR process and changes to Form 6.
Why it matters
The incident highlights escalating political conflict over electoral roll revisions and challenges to democratic institutions in India.
How this story developed
- Sep 23 Election Commission denies internal dissent, says all decisions were unanimous
- Sep 26 The Election Commission announced that Booth Level Officers will visit voters flagged in the SIR to collect supporting documents, with online hearings and additional help desks to be established.
- Sep 27 Opposition parties announced nationwide rallies and a parliamentary motion to force the CEC’s resignation following the removal of over 130 million voter names.
- Oct 2 The Cockroach Janata Party and a coalition of student activists will protest in Mumbai and New Delhi, calling for Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to step down over disputed voter-list changes.
- Oct 2 The Supreme Court agreed to hear a petition questioning the Election Commission’s decision‑making next week.
- Oct 3 Delhi police lodged three FIRs following a protest at Jantar Mantar calling for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation over alleged voter roll issues.
- Oct 4 The Supreme Court will hear petitions on Oct 5 seeking the suspension of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar amid a dispute over the special intensive revision exercise.
- Oct 5 Delhi police deployed roughly 5,000 officers and paramilitary units ahead of two anti‑CEC marches.
- Oct 5 CJP members began a sit‑in demanding an FIR against ACP Vivek Bhagat after police said the case is under Crime Branch inquiry.
- Oct 5 The court issued a notice to the Election Commission and the Centre after refusing to suspend the chief election commissioner.
- Oct 6 Opposition MPs including Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi were briefly detained during a protest march toward the Election Commission.
- Oct 6 When police barred the INDIA bloc march to the Election Commission, Rahul Gandhi and his sister Priyanka redirected the demonstration to the Akashvani Bhavan building.
- Oct 7 Cockroach Janta Party filed a formal notice with Delhi police about an Oct 10 Jantar Mantar protest demanding the CEC’s resignation.
- Oct 7 Police detained Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi and other lawmakers during the protest and released them later that evening.
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