The Congress party and its allies organized a large-scale march on October 12, bringing tens of thousands of demonstrators to the Supreme Court of India, according to Scroll. The event was designed to end outside the top court, with officials stating that the location was chosen to apply public pressure on the judiciary. The primary demand was the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Party officials told Scroll that their goal extends beyond the specific dispute over voter list revisions. They believe that sustained street protests will compel judges to act neutrally, countering what the party views as a decade-long bias toward the ruling government. This perceived neutrality is considered essential for establishing a fairer electoral environment before the 2029 Lok Sabha polls.
Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition, addressed the media the day after the demonstration. He noted that while the party respects the Supreme Court, political resistance would persist. Scroll reported that Gandhi had filed a petition for an audit of the voter roll revision just before the march. Colleagues described this dual approach as a strategic move to signal that the political landscape is shifting.
A South Indian Congress politician, speaking on condition of anonymity, argued that public pressure is the only effective method to secure fair judicial outcomes. He referenced the voter roll revision in West Bengal, where over 91 lakh names were removed, aiding the Bharatiya Janata Party’s first victory in the state. The politician claimed that public opinion serves as a counterbalance to executive power.
Chief Justice Surya Kant responded to the Opposition’s petition by stating that nobody can browbeat the judiciary. The next hearing is set for October 27. Congress leaders remain committed to the strategy, with one MP noting plans to visit villages of deleted voters. This effort aims to strengthen the "vote chori" narrative and challenge the legitimacy of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s electoral wins ahead of 2029.