Delhi Police has imposed prohibitory orders at Rajghat and increased security across Central Delhi after Congress and other INDIA bloc leaders announced plans to gather at the memorial for a protest and to pay tributes, officials said on Thursday. The restrictions were imposed under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).
INDIA bloc MPs, led by Rahul Gandhi, were expected to travel to Rajghat in three buses from Moets restaurant in Connaught Place, where they had lunch, according to the report. Police stepped up deployment around the memorial amid concerns that crowds could gather or attempt to move towards sensitive areas in the central part of the capital.
The Congress and other Opposition leaders have been protesting for several days, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities linked to the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. The allegations and the Opposition’s demand were reported in the context of the ongoing demonstrations; the supplied report does not establish the allegations independently.
The latest restrictions follow repeated confrontations between protesters and police. Opposition MPs were detained on Tuesday and Wednesday after their marches were stopped. On Wednesday, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra were among the leaders detained after police intercepted a march near Windsor Place. Priyanka Gandhi was seen lying on the road with a copy of the Constitution, while Rahul Gandhi told supporters that the Opposition would continue protesting until Kumar resigned.
Police have also increased security outside the Bharatiya Janata Party headquarters, officials said, citing the possibility of separate demonstrations at multiple locations in Central Delhi. The deployment includes personnel from several police stations, the Delhi Police Reserve Battalion and paramilitary forces. Barricades have been placed at key points to prevent protesters from entering restricted areas.
The arrangements reflect the operational challenge created by several moving protest groups rather than one fixed gathering. The reported measures are expected to affect access and movement around Rajghat, Connaught Place, Windsor Place and other sensitive points in Central Delhi while the demonstrations continue. The police response remains focused on preventing protesters from entering restricted areas and managing gatherings at multiple locations.
