Delhi Police has issued a no-objection certificate (NOC) for the Congress-led INDIA bloc’s rally at Ramlila Maidan on November 1, subject to several conditions covering crowd control, surveillance, traffic management, speeches and the dispersal of participants.
The opposition alliance is organising the gathering to protest alleged electoral irregularities, including what it describes as “vote chori”. The rally will seek accountability over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Congress has set a target of mobilising 10 lakh people for the event, with party workers and supporters expected to travel to Delhi from across the country. The rally is scheduled to take place from 10 am to 5 pm on November 1.
The NOC covers the booking of Ramlila Maidan from October 25 to November 3. However, the arrangement remains subject to approval from the authority that owns the ground.
Mandatory surveillance and crowd arrangements
As part of the clearance, organisers have been instructed to install high-definition cameras at key points, including entry and exit gates, the stage, the areas surrounding Ramlila Maidan and the seating enclosures.
The surveillance system must have recording facilities, monitoring arrangements with at least five screens and a dedicated CCTV control room. Organisers have also been asked to arrange enough water tankers and toilet blocks, including separate facilities for women.
An adequate number of volunteers must be deployed to manage the crowd. They are required to wear identical clothing or carry common badges to ensure easy identification during the programme.
The police have made it clear that the rally must conclude at 5 pm on November 1 and that dispersal must begin immediately afterwards. The programme cannot be extended under any circumstances.
Participants will not be allowed to stay overnight at Ramlila Maidan either before or after the rally. Buses, cars, tempos and other vehicles must be parked only at locations designated by the traffic police.
Organisers have also been directed to maintain peace and prevent unruly or rowdy conduct. No march from Ramlila Maidan towards any other destination will be permitted.
Congress reviews preparations
Congress general secretary KC Venugopal met the heads of the party’s frontal organisations at the All India Congress Committee headquarters at Indira Bhawan in Delhi on Saturday. He later held discussions with Delhi Congress office-bearers to assess preparations for the rally.
AICC treasurer Ajay Maken also took part in the meetings.
The November 1 event follows a dispute over permission for another INDIA bloc programme planned for October 30. Congress had proposed the event as a curtain-raiser to the main rally.
The party had alleged that permission was denied for a programme at the government-run Ashok Hotel, where 21 INDIA bloc parties planned to hold a symbolic “public impeachment” of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Earlier, on October 12, opposition leaders, activists and other participants took part in a ‘March for Democracy’ in the national capital.
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