INDIA Bloc March: Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Detained Over SIR Row
The political controversy over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls intensified in Delhi on October 6, 2026, after opposition parties under the INDIA bloc marched towards the Election Commission of India. The protesters raised questions over the voter-list revision process and demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The march began from Makar Dwar of Parliament and was planned towards Nirvachan Sadan, the headquarters of the Election Commission. Several opposition leaders and MPs participated in the protest.
INDIA Bloc Protest in Delhi
The opposition MPs gathered outside Parliament before starting their march. The protest was part of the INDIA bloc’s wider campaign against the SIR process and what opposition parties describe as concerns over electoral rolls.
The march included several prominent leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Akhilesh Yadav, Abhishek Banerjee and Derek O’Brien.
However, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and DMK did not participate in this particular march. AAP has said it would continue raising the SIR issue separately.
Police Stop March Near NITI Aayog
The INDIA bloc march was stopped by police on Parliament Street near the NITI Aayog office. Security personnel placed barricades on the route to prevent the protesters from moving towards the Election Commission office.
After being stopped, several opposition MPs and leaders sat on the road and staged a dharna. Heavy security arrangements were made in central Delhi because of the protest.
According to reports, thousands of Delhi Police and Central Armed Police Forces personnel were deployed around important locations.
Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Detained
The situation escalated after the protesters were stopped from moving forward. Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, along with other opposition leaders, were detained by police.
Akhilesh Yadav, Abhishek Banerjee and Derek O’Brien were also among the leaders detained during the protest.
Rahul Gandhi was seen climbing a police barricade while carrying the national flag during the demonstration. The detained leaders were later taken away from the protest site.
Why Is the INDIA Bloc Protesting?
The main issue behind the protest is the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
Opposition parties have alleged that changes in the voter-registration process and voter lists could affect eligible voters. They have demanded greater transparency in the revision process and have criticised the Election Commission’s handling of the issue.
The opposition has also demanded the resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar.
However, these claims are political allegations and should not be treated as established findings of wrongdoing. The Election Commission has rejected the allegations and maintained that the SIR-related decisions were taken according to the legal framework.
Supreme Court and Form 6 Issue
The INDIA bloc protest also comes after a recent development in the Supreme Court.
On October 5, the Supreme Court said that it had not approved a modified version of Form 6, which is used for voter enrolment. The court said it would examine the records of the Election Commission to understand what changes were made and who authorised them.
The court, however, did not pass an interim order suspending CEC Gyanesh Kumar.
The Supreme Court’s observations have become another important point raised by opposition parties in their campaign against the Election Commission.
Election Commission Rejects Allegations
The Election Commission has rejected allegations of illegal action or political manipulation in the SIR process.
The poll body has maintained that decisions related to SIR were taken according to the applicable legal framework. It has also rejected suggestions that there is a division among the three members of the Election Commission.
Therefore, allegations regarding deliberate voter deletion or political manipulation remain claims made by opposition parties and have not been established as facts.
Delhi Security and Traffic Restrictions
Security was increased around Parliament, Vijay Chowk, Parliament Street, the Election Commission office and other central Delhi locations.
Traffic restrictions and diversions were also announced around areas such as Connaught Place, Patel Chowk, Ashoka Road, Parliament Street, Jantar Mantar Road and Windsor Place.
Commuters were advised to avoid unnecessary travel through the affected areas and use public transport where possible.
INDIA Bloc’s Larger Campaign
The October 6 protest is part of a wider INDIA bloc campaign against the SIR process and the Election Commission’s handling of voter-list-related issues.
The opposition has announced further meetings, protests and political activities over the issue.
The controversy has now become a major political and legal dispute involving the INDIA bloc, Election Commission and Supreme Court. While opposition parties continue to raise concerns over the voter-list revision process, the Election Commission maintains that the SIR exercise is being conducted according to the law.
The developments are likely to keep the SIR issue at the centre of political debate in the coming days.
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