Congress Rally November 1: Delhi Police Confirms Permission

The Delhi Police on Tuesday clarified that permission for the Congress to organise a rally at Ramlila Ground on November 1 remains in place, subject to conditions outlined in its official communication. The clarification came after the Congress alleged that authorities were attempting to obstruct opposition activities planned ahead of the rally.

The police said it had no objection from a law-and-order perspective to the proposed gathering between 10 am and 5 pm. However, the permission is subject to compliance with the conditions imposed by the police and obtaining prior approval from the land-owning authority.

The clarification followed reports that the Congress had claimed it was denied permission to hold a separate event involving INDIA bloc parties. The planned gathering was intended as a curtain-raiser for the November 1 rally and was to include a protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

The Congress and other opposition parties have been protesting over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and alleged electoral irregularities. The proposed rally is part of their campaign demanding action against the Chief Election Commissioner.

Delhi Police Says Rally Permission Remains Valid

In its official communication, Delhi Police referred to the Congress’s letter dated October 5, 2026, seeking a no-objection certificate for booking Ramlila Ground between October 25 and November 3 to organise the rally on November 1.

The police stated that the request had been considered and that it had no objection to the rally from a law-and-order perspective, subject to specified conditions and prior permission from the land-owning authority.

The statement read: “With reference to your letter No. Nil dated 05.10.2026, on the subject cited above, I have been directed to inform you that your request regarding booking NOC for booking of Ramlila Ground from 25.10.2026 to 03.11.2026 to organize rally on 01.11.2026 from 10 AM TO 05 PM has been considered and we have no objection for the same from law & order point of view on the below mentioned terms & conditions subject to obtaining prior permission from the land owning authority.”

The clarification established that the police had no objection to the November 1 rally under the stated conditions. It also made clear that the organisers must comply with the requirements governing the event.

Conditions Imposed by Delhi Police for November 1 Rally

Delhi Police outlined several conditions that the Congress must follow while organising the gathering at Ramlila Ground. These requirements focus on maintaining public order, ensuring the rally concludes on time and preventing unauthorised movement or overnight stays at the venue.

• Compliance with the law: Organisers must abide by all laws and regulations applicable to public assemblies.
• Maintaining public order: Organisers must take necessary measures to keep participants under control and prevent violence or disruption.
• Fixed closing time: The rally must conclude by 5 pm on November 1.
• No overnight stay: Participants cannot stay overnight at Ramlila Maidan either before or after the rally under any circumstances.
• Peaceful conduct: The organisers must ensure that the gathering remains peaceful and that unruly, rowdy or radical behaviour is not allowed.
• Cooperation with police: Organisers must cooperate fully with the police department.
• Legal consequences: Any breach of the undertaking may result in legal action against the organiser.
• No unauthorised march: Participants cannot march to any location other than Ramlila Ground.

The conditions require the organisers to take responsibility for the conduct of participants and ensure that the event remains within the approved time and location. The prohibition on marches to other destinations also limits the rally to the designated venue.

The police communication further indicates that the no-objection position is not unconditional. The Congress must satisfy the stated requirements and obtain prior permission from the authority responsible for the land.

Congress Alleges Authorities Tried to Stall Opposition Event

The police clarification came after Congress leader K C Venugopal alleged that the party had faced obstacles in organising a separate event ahead of the November 1 rally.

In a post on X on Tuesday, Venugopal claimed that Ashok Hotel had initially granted permission for the proposed gathering but later denied it. The event was planned for October 30 and was intended to serve as a curtain-raiser for the rally at Ramlila Maidan.

According to Venugopal, 21 parties belonging to the INDIA bloc had planned to participate in what he described as the public impeachment of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

Venugopal accused the authorities of attempting to silence opposition voices. He wrote: “First they destroy the electoral system, and now they are trying all kinds of tricks to silence those who fight to save our democracy.”

He also said the opposition would continue its campaign against Kumar, linking the planned protest to allegations concerning the electoral system and the conduct of the SIR exercise.

The Congress’s allegations about the denial of permission at Ashok Hotel concern the separate October 30 event. Delhi Police’s clarification, meanwhile, addresses the proposed November 1 rally at Ramlila Ground. The two matters relate to different venues and events, despite being part of the same opposition campaign.

Venugopal Says Opposition Will Continue Its Protest

In his social media post, Venugopal vowed that the opposition would continue its efforts to seek Kumar’s removal, regardless of the obstacles it might face.

“Let it be very clear, come what may, we will not rest until Modi-Shah’s puppet Gyanesh Kumar is not removed. If they stop us here, we will go to Amit Shah’s house, PM Modi’s house, and stage a massive dharna there,” he said.

Venugopal concluded by reiterating the party’s commitment to continuing its campaign until its stated objective was achieved.

His remarks reflected the Congress’s position that the protests are necessary to challenge what it describes as irregularities in the electoral system. The allegations against the Election Commission and the circumstances surrounding the proposed events remain separate from the police’s stated conditions for the November 1 rally.

Why the November 1 Rally Matters

The planned rally at Ramlila Ground forms part of a wider campaign by the Congress and other opposition parties against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The parties have raised concerns over the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls and alleged irregularities in the electoral process.

The SIR exercise has become a point of political contention, with opposition parties questioning aspects of the revision process and demanding accountability from the Election Commission. The planned November 1 gathering is intended to bring these objections into a larger public protest.

The proposed October 30 curtain-raiser was expected to involve INDIA bloc parties and focus on their demand for action against Kumar. Venugopal’s claims about the withdrawal of permission at Ashok Hotel added another dispute to the preparations for the opposition’s campaign.

However, the Delhi Police statement clarified that it had no objection to the November 1 rally at Ramlila Ground, provided the organisers complied with the specified conditions and secured the necessary approval from the land-owning authority.

What Happens Next?

The Congress is expected to proceed with preparations for the November 1 rally at Ramlila Ground under the conditions set out by Delhi Police. The event is scheduled to run from 10 am to 5 pm, with restrictions on overnight stays, public disorder and marches to other locations.

The dispute over the proposed October 30 gathering at Ashok Hotel remains a separate issue in the available account. Venugopal alleged that permission for that event was initially granted and later withdrawn, while the police clarification concerned the rally at Ramlila Ground.

The developments highlight the distinction between permission for a public gathering from a law-and-order perspective and approval from the authority responsible for the venue. Delhi Police has stated that it has no objection to the November 1 rally, but the organisers must meet the conditions and obtain the required land-owning authority’s permission.

The rally is expected to form part of the opposition’s continuing campaign over electoral roll revision and its demand for action against the Chief Election Commissioner.