Preparations have intensified at Delhi’s Ramlila Maidan for the INDIA bloc rally scheduled on November 1, with Delhi Police expecting about 50,000 people and deploying 3,500 personnel for security and crowd management. The Congress has claimed that around 10 lakh people could attend the gathering, which is being held to demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in electoral processes and the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.
Workers at the venue were erecting a large tent over the main stage for opposition leaders, while a second stage was being arranged for state units of INDIA bloc parties. White canopy tents, metal barricades, temporary platforms and rows of plastic chairs were being installed, with mini-trucks continuing to deliver materials.
The demonstration is scheduled from 10 am to 5 pm. Delhi Police has divided the venue into 14 zones, each overseen by an assistant commissioner-rank officer. Two zones will be monitored by additional deputy commissioner-rank officers. Ten companies of reserve forces have also been called in, according to the report.
More than 200 CCTV cameras, body-worn cameras and surveillance-equipped vehicles will be used to monitor the venue and surrounding activity. Police said organisers have been asked to install high-definition cameras at strategic points and establish a control room to monitor the footage. The arrangements place the rally among the larger recent public-space events requiring layered surveillance, zone-based supervision and coordinated crowd movement.
The organisers have also been instructed to deploy adequate volunteers, arrange drinking water and provide separate toilets for women. Vehicle parking is to be coordinated with traffic police, while details of invitees, volunteers and buses transporting participants have been sought. Overnight stay at the venue is not permitted. Police have also cautioned organisers against unruly behaviour and speeches that could disturb communal harmony.
An official communication dated October 17 granted the Congress permission to book Ramlila Maidan from October 25 to November 3, subject to approval from the land-owning authority and compliance with specified conditions. The extended booking period covers the preparation, rally and dismantling of temporary infrastructure rather than only the duration of the public meeting.
The Congress is coordinating with state units and seeking participation from workers across states neighbouring Delhi. Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi has appealed to students and civil society groups to join the gathering. The Indian Youth Congress said some participants would wear white cloth to symbolise voters allegedly marked dead or removed from electoral rolls, while others would wear Batman masks.
The rally follows the INDIA bloc’s plan to hold a public impeachment proceeding against Kumar on October 30. After permission hurdles at other venues, opposition leaders decided to hold that programme at Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge’s residence on Rajaji Marg. For the Ramlila Maidan event, police and organisers are expected to complete venue, transport, surveillance and essential-service arrangements before the November 1 programme begins.
