CEC row LIVE: CJP’s Bengaluru protest intensifies as Dhruv Rathee, Abhijeet Dipke, Prakash Raj join hands
The Cockroach Janta Party’s ‘chappal protest’ has started at Bengaluru’s Freedom Park, with Abhijeet Dipke, Dhruv Rathee and Prakash Raj raising slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The protest is being held in solidarity with three women journalists who alleged sexual harassment by Delhi Police personnel during the New Delhi protests. It follows a People’s Tribunal on the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, where people from Karnataka who say they were wrongly excluded from voter rolls are sharing their experiences.
Congress and other INDIA bloc MPs began arriving at the restaurant for a second consecutive lunch meeting, with Opposition leaders set to discuss their next course of action in their ongoing protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The leaders are expected to proceed to Rajghat after the meeting.
Ahead of the lunch, security is beefed up outside the restaurant as Opposition leaders and MPs began arriving for the lunch meeting hosted by Congress president and Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge.
Key Updates
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Mamata Banerjee to travel to Delhi to join INDIA bloc’s ongoing movement
Mamata Banerjee says she will travel to Delhi after INDIA bloc leaders urged her to join the ongoing movement and meet the President.
"I was asked to go, so I am going. A request for an appointment with the President has been made for the 8th or 9th on behalf of the leaders of the INDIA Alliance; my name has been included in that list," Banerjee said. -ANI
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Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi arrives for the second lunch meeting
#WATCH | Delhi: LoP Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi arrives for the second lunch meeting of the Opposition MPs in Connaught Place. https://t.co/Kj6XNDO2lX
— ANI (@ANI) October 8, 2026 -
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke accuses PM Modi of ‘murdering democracy, vote theft’
Addressing the SIR protest in Bengaluru, Abhijeet Dipke alleged “vote theft” and said the agitation would continue until CEC Gyanesh Kumar resigns. - PTI
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Dhruv Rathee says ‘zero transparency, zero accountability’ from EC during SIR protest
Speaking at the SIR protest in Bengaluru, YouTuber Dhruv Rathee said he had not come for regime change and alleged a lack of transparency and accountability from the Election Commission. - PTI
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INDIA bloc MPs gather for second big meeting, to march to Rajghat in protest against CEC
Congress and other INDIA bloc MPs began arriving at the restaurant for a second consecutive lunch meeting, with Opposition leaders set to discuss their next course of action in their ongoing protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The leaders are expected to proceed to Rajghat after the meeting.
Ahead of the lunch, security is beefed up outside the restaurant as Opposition leaders and MPs began arriving for the lunch meeting hosted by Congress president and Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge. - ANI -
Delhi HC to hear Indian Youth Congress protest plea on Friday
Delhi High Court will hear the Indian Youth Congress plea seeking permission to hold a protest against CEC Gyanesh Kumar at Jantar Mantar on Friday. - PTI
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Delhi traffic police issues advisory for Congress dharna at Rajghat - Kishan Ghat road
Delhi Traffic Police (@dtptraffic) posts, "TRAFFIC ADVISORY | 08.10.2026 Rajghat–Kishan Ghat Road 01:00 PM–04:00 PMIn view of a proposed dharna at Kishan Ghat Road, traffic congestion is likely on Rajghat–Kishan Ghat Road and adjoining stretches. Commuters are advised to: • Avoid the affected stretch and plan their journey in advance.* Use alternate routes via JLN Marg–Minto Road–Ajmeri Gate as per traffic conditions.* Follow the directions of Traffic Police personnel.* Prefer public transport to help reduce congestion.* Park only at designated parking spaces. For any suspicious/unusual object or person, immediately inform Police at 112.Delhi Traffic Police — Your Safety, Our Priority."
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) October 8, 2026 -
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Delhi Police Crime Branch probes July 20 CJP protest violence, examines 2,873 suspects
Delhi Police Crime Branch is investigating violence during the July 20 CJP protest. According to the officials, the Crime Branch will now specifically probe the violence, including alleged assaults on police personnel, vandalism and destruction of public property, including police vehicles. - ANI
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"If he has courage, Rahul Gandhi should resign": Nitin Nabin attacks Rahul Gandhi over EC protest
BJP national president Nitin Nabin hit out at the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha over his protest against the Election Commission, saying Gandhi should resign if he had the courage. Nabin also accused the Congress leader of having an “anarchic mindset”. - ANI
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"We are not going back": Congress MP K Suresh
Congress MP Kodikunnil Suresh on Thursday said the INDIA bloc would continue its protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, asserting that the Opposition was “not going back” and would take the agitation to the people if Kumar does not resign.
“And today also, we have a strong protest, an aggressive protest against Gyanesh Kumar. We are not going back,” he said.
He said INDIA bloc MPs would gather after a lunch hosted for the alliance leaders at 1:45 pm, following which the protest would begin. - ANI -
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'Chaos is hardly appropriate,' says Mohan Yadav
Madhya Pradesh CM Mohan Yadav says, "The atmosphere of anarchy that Rahul Gandhi is attempting to create is inappropriate for any democratic nation. Given the entire electoral process overseen by the Election Commission, and the fact that the Congress party has suffered repeated defeats election after election, it would be truly unfortunate if they sought to blame the Election Commission for their losses."
#WATCH | Bhopal | Madhya Pradesh CM Mohan Yadav says, "The atmosphere of anarchy that Rahul Gandhi is attempting to create is inappropriate for any democratic nation. Given the entire electoral process overseen by the Election Commission, and the fact that the Congress party has suffered repeated defeats election after election, it would be truly unfortunate if they sought to blame the Election Commission for their losses. Rahul Gandhi’s tactics to disparage the Prime Minister will not succeed. I condemn this behavior and hope the Congress party will desist from it. It is astonishing that, despite losing three consecutive Lok Sabha elections and facing repeated defeats in various states under his leadership, Rahul Gandhi is attempting to falsely boost his workers' morale and validate his own leadership by shifting the entire blame for these losses onto the Election Commission. The party and its workers are taking note of the fact that, amidst this string of defeats under his command, he is trying to rally a group of people who are themselves accustomed to losing. I believe this is dangerous for democracy; he should refrain from such actions. I would like to remind Rahul Gandhi of the era—spanning nearly 30 years—when coalition governments were the norm, and contrast that with the time when the Congress government was in power in Delhi and Modi ji was declared the Prime Ministerial candidate. Given the situation, why did the Congress suffer such a crushing defeat? The Congress has still not been able to come to terms with it. The party constantly engages in conspiracies, but creating an atmosphere of chaos is hardly appropriate. I believe that Rahul Gandhi needs to reflect on his conduct and behavior to revive the party; indeed, I suspect even his own party workers will not forgive him for this..."
— ANI (@ANI) October 8, 2026 -
Ashutosh Ranka claims fringe groups mobilised to target protesters
Someone higher up in the BJP ranks has informed that right wing fringe groups have been mobilised from all over the country to unleash violence on peaceful protestors.1. Come what may, @Cockroachisback’s protest will be peaceful. “हाथ हमारा नहीं उठेगा”।2. Any form of violence against the people of this county will not be tolerated. Amit Shah - India is watching. This time, it will not be about Delhi Police.
— Ashutosh Ranka (@AshutoshRanka) October 8, 2026 -
More FIRs against Rahul, Priyanka Gandhi, cases of alleged assault on police personnel during Wednesday protests
Delhi Police have registered three FIRs in connection with the Opposition's Wednesday protest, with more cases being registered in the matter, Delhi Police said on Thursday.
The cases have been registered under various sections related to alleged assault on police personnel, obstruction of government work, pushing and manhandling, and misbehaviour with police personnel.
The names of Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also figure in the details of the FIRs registered so far. - ANI -
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Kharge to host 2nd INDIA bloc lunch today
For the second consecutive day, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge is hosting a lunch for INDIA bloc leaders at a restaurant, sources said.
They said after the lunch it is likely that there could be a protest, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The lunch by Kharge would be hosted at Moets in Outer Circle, Connaught Place at 1:45 pm, the sources said. - PTI
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Chidambaram questions BJP over ‘infiltrator’ remarks on deleted voter names
In a post on X, P Chidambaram questioned the BJP’s stand on deleted voter names, citing ECI camps to re-enrol voters left out of electoral rolls.
Mr Nitin Nabin said that Mr Rahul Gandhi, LoP, is pleading on behalf of ghuspathiyas (infiltrators)If those names who were deleted from the electoral rolls are 'infiltrators', why is the ECI holding special camps to re-enrol the 'left out' names? The protests by the Congress, INDIA bloc parties and other youth and student groups have made the state CEOs speak out, ask questions of the ECI, and hold special camps to re-enrol the 'left out' votersEven if the ECI has belatedly acknowledged (thanks to the two Election Commissioners dissenting from the CEC) that grave injustice has been done to genuine citizens, the BJP is defending the indefensible
— P. Chidambaram (@PChidambaram_IN) October 8, 2026 -
FIR against Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi over alleged assault
Delhi Police registers FIR against Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi over alleged assault, obstruction of duty during protest: Police sources. - PTI
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'If you block Jantar Mantar, the whole of Delhi will become a protest site,' says Dhurv Rathee
If you block Jantar Mantar, the whole of Delhi will become a protest site.
— Dhruv Rathee (@dhruv_rathee) October 7, 2026 -
Security tightened around Election Commission office
#WATCH | Delhi: Security arrangements tightened around Sansad Marg, the Election Commission office, and the Jantar Mantar area. Early morning visuals from the spot. https://t.co/bprGxNmk8I
— ANI (@ANI) October 8, 2026 -
"Do or die battle at Jantar Mantar", says Congress General Secretary KC Venugopal
In a post on X, Venugopal said, "Bring it on, Modi ji. Now this is a do-or-die battle. And we will win, India will win, the Constitution will win."
Bring it on, Modi ji. अब ये आर या पार की लड़ाई है। और हम जीतेंगे, भारत जीतेगा, संविधान जीतेगा। 🇮🇳 https://t.co/fSmnoo6jJi
— K C Venugopal (@kcvenugopalmp) October 7, 2026 -
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Congress declares October 8 ‘Black Day’, announces nationwide protests over police action against leaders
Congress announced protests at state, district and block levels on October 8 after Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi and other INDIA bloc MPs were detained during the CEC protest in Delhi. The party alleged that protesters faced force and called the police action an “attack on the Constitution”. Congress said it would continue its campaign until CEC Gyanesh Kumar is removed. - ANI
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Prakash Raj, Dhruv Rathee among notable names set to join CJP’s ‘people’s tribunal’ on SIR
Actor-activist Prakash Raj said CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke and YouTuber Dhruv Rathee will attend the Bengaluru event, alongside SIR-affected citizens from across Karnataka. - PTI
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Kamal Haasan urges CEC Gyanesh Kumar to meet Opposition MPs amid SIR row
Makkal Needhi Maiam (MNM) founder and Rajya Sabha MP Kamal Haasan urged Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar to meet Opposition MPs at Samvidhan Bhavan (Old Parliament House), saying that dialogue was needed to address concerns surrounding the Election Commission and reaffirm its independence and impartiality. - ANI
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Delhi police seeks removal of 11 social media posts over alleged misleading protest
The Delhi Police has asked a social media platform to remove or restrict access to 11 posts and videos allegedly presenting a misleading account of police action during a recent protest in the national capital, saying the content could provoke public reaction and adversely affect law and order.- PTI
BJP alleges Rahul Gandhi inappropriately touched woman cop during protest
The BJP alleged that Rahul Gandhi inappropriately touched a woman constable and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra punched a police officer during the INDIA bloc’s protest against CEC Gyanesh Kumar.
How Jantar Mantar became India’s protest hub? The rules and history explained
From advance police permission and crowd limits to the Supreme Court's intervention in 2018, here is how protests are regulated at Jantar Mantar, and why the stretch of road near Delhi's power centre became a prominent site of dissent.
INDIA bloc steps up protest against CEC as Delhi HC takes up Youth Congress plea
IYC has challenged Delhi Police’s refusal to allow a Jantar Mantar protest, seeking permission to demonstrate against CEC over irregularities in the SIR.