Rahul Gandhi Says INDIA Bloc to Move Supreme Court Over SIR, Appeals to Citizens to Join Protest

Gandhi said Chief Justice of India Surya Kant had responded to the Opposition’s request for a meeting by advising the leaders to file a petition and bring their concerns before the court through the established legal process.

Addressing a press conference at the Congress headquarters in New Delhi, Gandhi said he and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge had written to the CJI expressing concerns over electoral fairness.

“The Honourable CJI has responded and instructed us to file a petition,” Gandhi said, adding that INDIA bloc leaders would jointly approach the Supreme Court to initiate proceedings.

The Opposition’s planned march comes amid its demand for the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the SIR exercise. The Congress has accused the poll body of compromising electoral fairness, while the allegations remain contested.

Gandhi said the campaign would continue beyond a single demonstration and described it as a broader effort to defend constitutional rights. He also alleged that around 200 officials in the Central government, including those associated with the Enforcement Directorate, Central Bureau of Investigation and Ministry of External Affairs, were in touch with the Opposition and sharing information. He did not provide details substantiating the claim.

Appealing to citizens irrespective of their political affiliations, Gandhi invited people to join the protest at 1.30 p.m. near Barakhamba Junction in Connaught Place. He said even those who supported the BJP should participate if they believed the Constitution was under threat.

Gandhi also urged people unable to attend in person to express their support through videos or other public messages as INDIA bloc leaders approached the Supreme Court at 3 p.m.

“This is not about Rahul Gandhi or Narendra Modi. We are not important here. What matters is India, the Constitution, the people of India, their right to expression and the future of the country,” he said.

The INDIA bloc had also submitted a charter of demands to President Droupadi Murmu on Friday, outlining four demands related to electoral reforms and alleged vote manipulation.