NEW DELHI: Amid the ongoing protest against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, Lok Sabha Leader of the Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday said that the Congress and INDIA bloc would continue to take to the streets, face arrests and legal cases to “save the Constitution and democracy”.
In a post on X, Gandhi said, “To save the Constitution and democracy, the Congress Party and the opposition are ready to take to the streets as many times as needed, face arrests, or endure legal cases. “This alliance between the dictatorial Modi government and the Election Commission has already been exposed. It is time for resignations and action. An arrogant regime cannot hold out for long against the fervour of the people.”
Gandhi further said that the Opposition would continue its protest until Gyanesh Kumar resigns. “We are not going to stop protesting till Gyanesh Kumar resigns. This is a fight to protect the most sacred thing in this country. There is nothing that Narendra Modi and Amit Shah can do that will stop us,” he said.
We are not going to stop protesting till Gyanesh Kumar resigns.
This is a fight to protect the most sacred thing in this country.
There is nothing that Narendra Modi and Amit Shah can do that will stop us. https://t.co/MgvabcQPPR
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) October 7, 2026
His remarks came after INDIA bloc MPs were stopped by Delhi Police while attempting to proceed towards Jantar Mantar to stage a protest against CEC Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Rahul Gandhi was subsequently detained by Delhi Police along with several other INDIA bloc MPs after the protesters attempted to move towards Jantar Mantar. The detention came amid heightened security in the area as Opposition leaders sought to continue their demonstration against the Election Commission. Gandhi was taken to Barakhamba police station following his detention.
Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Wednesday questioned the Delhi Police over the alleged stopping of a bus carrying INDIA bloc leaders who were heading towards Jantar Mantar for a protest against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
#WATCH | Delhi | Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra says, “What is the value of the Constitution in this nation? We will lay down our lives for the Constitution. No cost is too big for us” https://t.co/EQw9rU4rQU
— ANI (@ANI) October 7, 2026
Speaking to reporters, Gandhi said, “Is this the way? You can see what they are doing…” Priyanka’s remarks came after Congress MPs Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, Deepender Singh Hooda, Imran Pratapgarhi and Imran Masood climbed atop a bus as INDIA bloc MPs were stopped while moving towards Jantar Mantar for the protest.
Congress MP Pawan Khera said, “Everything is before you. We sat on a dharna wherever they stopped us. We are ready to sit here all through the night.”
Earlier in the day, Congress president and Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge said that Opposition parties would continue their struggle despite cases being filed against them. The Opposition leaders were stopped before reaching Jantar Mantar, where they were seeking to protest against CEC Gyanesh Kumar and alleged irregularities in the SIR exercise.
Sharing a picture of himself with Rahul Gandhi, Kharge wrote on X, “No matter how many cases you file, no matter how much you try to scare us, we are not the ones to get scared. We will keep laughing and keep moving forward. We will continue the struggle.”
Kharge’s remarks came after Delhi Police registered an FIR in connection with Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and other INDIA bloc MPs allegedly entering the Akashvani Bhavan premises without permission during their protest against the Election Commission on Tuesday.
The Opposition MPs were seeking to proceed to Jantar Mantar, a designated site for protests, after they were allegedly stopped from moving further by Delhi Police.
Congress leader Pawan Khera posted on X that the buses were headed to Jantar Mantar after the police did not allow protests elsewhere in the national capital. “Since Delhi Police under Amit Shah is not allowing us to protest anywhere in the capital, all buses carrying MPs of opposition parties are now moving to Jantar Mantar – the designated spot for peaceful protests. Article 19 gives us our Constitutional right to democratic protest,” Khera posted on X.
The protest was organised against CEC Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the SIR exercise, with Opposition parties raising concerns over the revision of electoral rolls and demanding greater safeguards for eligible voters.
Following the incident, CPI MP P. Sandosh Kumar declared that the detention of protesting MPs would not save Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, asserting that the INDIA Bloc is holding a Jantar Mantar Protest against Gyanesh Kumar to safeguard democracy in the country.
“Detention (of protesting MPs) cannot save Gyanesh Kumar. He will have to resign. Detention is no solution. Lathi charge is no solution. This is a fight to save democracy. We will ensure Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation,” said Kumar. (ANI)
