Delhi Police has refuted claims that the permission granted to the Indian National Congress for its upcoming mega rally at the capital's Ramlila Maidan has been revoked. In a statement to the media, police sources clarified that the original No Objection Certificate and clearance issued for the November 1 event remain in full effect, with no changes made to the sanctioned arrangements.
The clarification from the authorities follows allegations made earlier by AICC General Secretary (Organisation) KC Venugopal, who had publicly suggested that the police were creating obstacles for the party's planned activities. During a press interaction in Delhi, Venugopal alleged that police intervention had led to the denial of permission for a separate event at the Ashoka Hotel lawn, which the party had intended to use as a curtain-raiser for the main rally.
According to the Congress leader, the party had secured the Ramlila Maidan venue for a nine-day period, spanning from October 25 to November 3. Venugopal further claimed that despite having the necessary permissions for the venue, party workers tasked with setting up infrastructure for the event had faced repeated interference from the police over the preceding two days. He asserted that the party would not succumb to such pressure and intended to proceed with its scheduled programme.
The event, titled the ‘Save the Vote, Save the Country Jan March and Mega Rally,’ is a key highlight of the party's current political outreach. Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has been vocal in urging citizens from all walks of life, including students, farmers, labourers, women, youth, and traders, to assemble in the national capital for the demonstration.
In a social media post, Gandhi framed the rally as a crucial campaign to protect democratic processes. He leveled serious allegations regarding the integrity of voter rolls, claiming that names have been illegally removed from lists and that existing laws have been violated. Furthermore, Gandhi alleged that state machinery and force had been used against those who raised questions regarding these electoral irregularities. He declared that the country must now provide a response to these actions.
Addressing the upcoming rally, Gandhi emphasized that the struggle to protect the vote is a collective effort for all citizens. He adopted a sarcastic tone toward the Bharatiya Janata Party and its allies, thanking them for the publicity he claimed their opposition had generated, which he suggested was helping the event reach a broader audience. He urged the opposition to maintain this level of enthusiasm as the date of the rally approaches.
As the November 1 date nears, the party is expected to move forward with its planned march and public gathering at the Ramlila Maidan. While the Congress leadership maintains that they have faced bureaucratic hurdles in the lead-up to the event, the Delhi Police’s stance remains that the permissions for the main rally at the designated venue continue to stand as originally granted. The situation remains a focal point of political discourse in the capital as both sides hold to their respective positions regarding the logistical arrangements for the protest.
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