Delhi Police deploy 10,000 personnel as INDIA bloc targets massive turnout at Ramlila Maidan

Delhi Police have deployed more than 10,000 personnel, supported by Central Armed Police Forces, for the INDIA bloc’s rally at Ramlila Maidan on Sunday, as the Opposition alliance seeks a large turnout for its protest against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. While organisers have projected a turnout of up to 10 lakh supporters, police estimates put the baseline attendance closer to 50,000. 

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The rally is part of the Opposition's campaign against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Congress and its allies have alleged that eligible voters were wrongly removed during the exercise and are seeking the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The Election Commission has defended the legality of its SIR decisions, while the BJP has rejected the Opposition's charges.

According to police estimates, Ramlila Maidan can hold about 45,000 to 50,000 people when empty. Seating, security enclosures and access corridors would reduce the space available for the gathering to roughly 30,000 to 40,000 people.

Police have therefore made provision for people arriving beyond that number to be accommodated in designated areas outside the ground. Organisers, meanwhile, are bringing supporters from several states, with the Indian Youth Congress alone expecting more than 20,000 of its members to participate.

Delhi Police Commissioner Anurag Kumar inspected preparations at Minto Road and Ramlila Maidan on Saturday, a day before the scheduled gathering.

The ground has been divided into 14 sectors, each under an assistant commissioner of police. Officers will monitor more than 200 CCTV cameras, supported by drones, body-worn cameras and a control room inside the venue. Central Armed Police Forces personnel will assist the local police, while entry through designated gates will be subject to security screening.

The police have also sought details of buses, volunteers and invited participants from the organisers. Instructions cover drinking water, separate toilets for women and orderly dispersal after the rally ends at 5 pm. Overnight stays at the venue are not permitted.

Proposed march and traffic restrictions

The Opposition has called for a march at noon from the Minto Road-Connaught Place junction to Ramlila Maidan. However, permission for the march is distinct from the clearance given for the rally itself. Police have said the Ramlila Maidan programme has conditional approval, but no separate application was received for the procession. Officers are coordinating with organisers over movement towards the ground.

Traffic restrictions are planned between 10 am and 5 pm around ITO, Delhi Gate, Rajghat, Ajmeri Gate and Turkman Gate. Motorists may also face diversions on Minto Road, Jawaharlal Nehru Marg, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg and Desh Bandhu Gupta Road. Around 150 additional traffic personnel will be deployed, with emergency access to LNJP and GB Pant hospitals to be maintained.

Trade bodies in nearby markets have expressed concern that road curbs and large numbers of visitors could affect business ahead of Diwali.

CEC dispute precedes Ramlila Maidan gathering

The protest follows a symbolic "public impeachment" of Kumar held by Opposition leaders at Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge's residence on Saturday. Former Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar presided over the event, where a resolution set out the alliance's allegations about electoral roll changes. The exercise was a political demonstration, not a formal constitutional proceeding to remove the CEC.

The BJP has criticised the exercise as an attack on democratic institutions. Union Home Minister Amit Shah has separately challenged Opposition leaders to discuss electoral rolls in a special session of Parliament.

The rally is scheduled to run from 10 am until 5 pm, with police requiring organisers to begin clearing the ground immediately after the permitted period.

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