Brief
CJI declines opposition leaders' request to meet on electoral‑roll concerns
The Supreme Court chief said no appointment will be made, while opposition parties proceed with a protest march in Delhi.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Chief Justice of India Surya Kant has not agreed to meet Opposition leaders Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge on Monday, according to sources cited by Deccan Chronicle on Tuesday.
What happened
Gandhi and Kharge each wrote to the CJI seeking a slot between 4 pm and 5 pm on Monday to hand over a memorandum that calls for an end to alleged electoral manipulation, suspension of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and a return to paper ballots. The CJI’s office replied by official mail that the request had been considered, but the chief justice did not grant the meeting.
What the reports add
The article notes that despite the denial, the Congress‑led “Chalo Delhi — March for Democracy” protest will go ahead, with participants gathering at the Connaught Place‑Barakhamba Road junction at 1.30 pm before marching toward the Supreme Court. Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee and other opposition figures are expected to join.
What was said
Gandhi, in a post on X, condemned a police crackdown on young protesters the previous day, saying they were beaten by police and BJP supporters. He urged young people, opposition parties and civil‑society groups to march to the Supreme Court “as Indians, united beyond party, gender, caste, community and state.” Kharge, speaking in Bengaluru, accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah of creating chaos and an undeclared emergency, and said the leaders would approach the CJI “with folded hands.”
How it came about
The planned march follows two days of protests in Delhi against the SIR exercise and the Chief Election Commissioner. On Friday, the INDIA bloc marched from Parliament to Vijay Chowk and submitted a memorandum to President Droupadi Murmu. The BJP and the Election Commission have rejected the opposition’s allegations of electoral manipulation.
Key facts
- Chief Justice Surya Kant declined a meeting request from Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge. (deccanchronicle.com)
- Gandhi and Kharge sought a 4‑5 pm slot on Monday to submit a memorandum on electoral reforms. (deccanchronicle.com)
- The opposition will proceed with a “Chalo Delhi — March for Democracy” protest starting at 1.30 pm at Connaught Place. (deccanchronicle.com)
- Gandhi accused police and BJP supporters of beating young protesters during a previous crackdown. (deccanchronicle.com)
- Kharge alleged an undeclared emergency imposed by Prime Minister Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah. (deccanchronicle.com)
Sources
- [1] deccanchronicle.com — originally reported as “Opposition Stir Today, CJI No To Cong. Meet”
