‘This Is Shiv’s Baraat’: Rahul Gandhi Leads Opposition March to Supreme Court Seeking Halt to SIR

Rahul Gandhi Leads Opposition March to Supreme Court

Several opposition leaders from the INDIA bloc joined Congress leader Rahul Gandhi in a march towards the Supreme Court in New Delhi on October 12, 2026, escalating their protest against the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

The march brought together senior political leaders, Members of Parliament, party workers and supporters. The opposition demanded a halt to the ongoing voter-list revision process and called for the removal of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, alleging irregularities in the electoral system.

The demonstration began near Constitution Club on Rafi Marg and proceeded towards the Barakhamba Road and Bhagwan Das Road area, where police barricades restricted the procession. A team of lawyers subsequently submitted petitions to the Supreme Court registry on behalf of opposition leaders.

‘This Is Shiv’s Baraat’: What Rahul Gandhi Said

During the march, Rahul Gandhi described the gathering using a reference to Lord Shiva.

“Shiv Tandav, Shiv’s dance is underway. This is Shiv’s baraat. Nothing is planned in it, things just happen. All are welcome to join,” Gandhi said, according to The Economic Times.

He presented the demonstration as part of a wider movement to protect the Constitution and challenge what the opposition describes as irregularities in the electoral process. Gandhi also said the protests would continue until the Chief Election Commissioner resigned and the electoral system was revamped.

Which Opposition Leaders Joined Rahul Gandhi?

The march witnessed participation from several prominent INDIA bloc leaders, reflecting coordination among opposition parties over the SIR issue.

Among those who participated were:

• Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha

• Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Congress leader

• Mallikarjun Kharge, Congress president

• Akhilesh Yadav, Samajwadi Party chief

• Mamata Banerjee, Trinamool Congress chief

• Tejashwi Yadav, RJD leader

• D Raja, CPI leader

• M A Baby, CPI(M) leader

• D K Shivakumar, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister

• Other opposition MPs, party functionaries and activists

The participation of leaders from different states and political parties marked a broader mobilisation beyond the INDIA bloc MPs’ earlier demonstrations.

Why Did the Opposition March Against SIR?

The opposition’s protest centres on the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. Opposition parties have raised concerns about voter deletions, transparency and the potential impact of the revision on eligible voters.

Leaders have alleged that the process could lead to the removal of legitimate voters and have questioned the Election Commission’s handling of the exercise. They have also demanded safeguards against arbitrary deletions and greater transparency in decisions affecting electoral rolls.

The Election Commission’s position and the opposition’s allegations are distinct: the claims of wrongdoing remain contested and should not be treated as established findings merely because they have been raised in political statements or court filings.

Opposition Leaders Move Supreme Court to Halt SIR

Alongside the street protest, opposition leaders pursued legal action. Lawyers submitted a joint petition to the Supreme Court seeking intervention over the SIR process and the functioning of the Election Commission.

The petition raised concerns about alleged electoral irregularities and called for greater scrutiny of the revision exercise. Opposition leaders also sought the removal of CEC Gyanesh Kumar and demanded steps to address their concerns about the electoral process.

The move followed an unsuccessful request by opposition leaders to meet the Chief Justice of India and submit a memorandum. The Chief Justice declined the meeting, citing the constitutional and judicial concerns involved in discussing matters that could come before the court, while noting that the opposition could approach the court through the prescribed legal process.

What Does the Opposition Want From the Court?

The opposition’s legal and political demands include:

• An interim halt to the SIR of electoral rolls.

• Examination of alleged irregularities in the voter-list revision process.

• Greater transparency and disclosure of relevant Election Commission records.

• Safeguards against the wrongful deletion of eligible voters.

• Action concerning the role of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

The Supreme Court’s consideration of the petition will determine how the legal issues raised by the opposition are addressed. The filing of a petition does not itself mean that the court has accepted the allegations or ordered a halt to the SIR process.

Police Barricades Restrict the March

The procession encountered police barricades in central Delhi, preventing participants from proceeding freely towards the Supreme Court. Thousands of opposition supporters had gathered for the demonstration, which lasted several hours.

The Delhi Police subsequently registered two FIRs connected with the march, citing the absence of permission and alleged damage to barricades. These police cases concern the conduct and organisation of the demonstration and are separate from the opposition’s legal challenge to the SIR process.

Opposition Says the Protest Is Part of One Movement

Responding to questions about other demonstrations against the Election Commission, Gandhi said the protests should be seen as part of one movement rather than as separate campaigns.

He framed the mobilisation as an effort to defend constitutional principles and raise concerns about the electoral system. The march also followed several days of protests in Delhi over the SIR process, including demonstrations by the youth-led Cockroach Janta Party (CJP).

What Happens Next?

The next stage depends on the Supreme Court’s response to the petitions and the legal questions raised by opposition leaders.

The opposition is seeking judicial intervention on the SIR process and the conduct of the Election Commission. Until the court issues an order, the march and the filing of petitions should not be interpreted as an automatic suspension of the voter-list revision exercise.

The issue is likely to remain a focus of political debate, with opposition parties demanding safeguards and transparency while the legal process determines the questions placed before the court.

Key Takeaways

• Rahul Gandhi led an INDIA bloc march towards the Supreme Court on October 12, 2026.

• Opposition leaders, including Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Mallikarjun Kharge and Akhilesh Yadav, joined the demonstration.

• Gandhi described the gathering as “Shiv’s baraat” and invited others to join the movement.

• The opposition is challenging the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.

• Lawyers submitted a petition seeking Supreme Court intervention over the SIR process and related electoral concerns.

• Opposition leaders have demanded the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

• Delhi Police registered two FIRs linked to the march, citing lack of permission and alleged barricade damage.

• The filing of the petition does not itself mean that the Supreme Court has stayed the SIR process.