‘Maan Na Maan,’ We Will March to SC. SIR Campaign Enters a New Political Phase
Hectic day ahead for the opposition parties and the police and tough times for the common man in New Delhi today, as the opposition parties, including the student wings of SFI and AISF, Youth Congress, NSUI, and others, would join the march to the Supreme Court around 1.30 pm opposing the (SIR) and the demand for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation, which has assumed political considerations.
After meeting the President of India and claiming that she had accepted their views, Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge wrote to the Chief Justice of India (CJI), seeking an appointment to submit a memorandum on the ongoing SIR exercise and alleged irregularities in the functioning of the Election Commission of India (ECI). They also announced their intention to march to the Supreme Court.
However, Chief Justice of India Justice Surya Kant declined their request, explaining that anyone wishing to approach the court, whether an ordinary citizen or a Member of Parliament, could file a petition through the established legal process.
The communication was sent to Rahul Gandhi and Kharge on Sunday night. But the Congress party and INDIA bloc still feel that meeting the CJI was their constitutional right, and they would go ahead with the march to the Supreme Court.
Rahul Gandhi, in a video circulated on social media, appealed to political parties, civil society organisations and student organisations to join the protest march.
Although the CJI declined to elaborate publicly on his reasons, sources indicated that the proposed meeting could affect the sanctity and impartiality of the judiciary. The SIR issue is already sub judice, and the bench hearing the matter is headed by the CJI himself. When asked for further clarification, Justice Surya Kant reportedly said he would not like to comment further but suggested that the media could learn more from other sources.
The police made elaborate security arrangements ahead of the proposed march. Entry and exit facilities at six Delhi Metro stations, including Central Secretariat, Rajiv Chowk and Patel Chowk, were scheduled to remain closed until 4 pm on Monday.
The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) said entry and exit facilities at Janpath, Mandi House, Barakhamba Road, Central Secretariat, Rajiv Chowk and Patel Chowk would remain closed for security reasons. However, interchange facilities would continue to be available at all six stations. The DMRC said the situation would be reviewed by security agencies and necessary updates communicated accordingly.
Several roads, including Lodi Road, the Hotel Samrat roundabout, Bhikaji Cama Place near Ring Road and the Moti Bagh area, were also to be closed as a precautionary measure.
The BJP on Monday took a swipe at the Congress over Rahul Gandhi’s request for a meeting with the Chief Justice of India, saying the judiciary must remain above day-to-day political battles.
In a post on X, BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia said, “From separation of powers to desperation for power, Rahul Gandhi has confused constitutional law with political theatre!”
He said the CJI declining to meet Gandhi and Opposition leaders sends an important message: The judiciary must remain above day-to-day political battles.
“Constitutional institutions cannot be dragged into political theatrics,” he said.
Further attacking the Congress leader, Bhatia said merely carrying a copy of the Constitution does not mean you understand it.
“Read it. Respect it. And learn the doctrine of separation of powers. The Constitution is a guide to governance, not a prop for political performance!” he added.
Two days earlier, the Congress had allegedly attempted to draw the President of India into the controversy when Rahul Gandhi claimed that she had agreed with the Opposition’s views on Vote Chori, the spokesperson said. He accused the Congress of now attempting to construct another misleading narrative involving the judiciary.
Meanwhile, CJP leader Ashutosh Ranka said he would approach the Parliament Street police station to seek permission to hold a protest at Jantar Mantar. It may be recalled that the CJP team had earlier maintained that protesting was a democratic and constitutional right and that no permission was required. “Permission or no permission, we will protest,” its members had declared. However, following a magistrate court order on Sunday, they have now decided to follow the prescribed procedures.
One striking feature of these protests is that political party activists, including members of Left-wing student organisations, appear to be at the forefront, rather than ordinary citizens. This raises questions about whether the agitation represents a broader public movement or has increasingly become a political campaign, particularly with Assembly elections approaching in Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, Goa and other states.