Mass Protest in New Delhi Targets Modi and Changes to Voter Rolls

Organizers in India expect up to one million demonstrators to rally in New Delhi as opposition leaders protest voter roll changes and forced shop closures.

Opposition activists in India are holding a massive protest rally in New Delhi against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and changes to the voter rolls, newspaper Haaretz and the Times of India reported. According to organizers of the rally at the Ramlila Maidan grounds, led by the opposition INDIA bloc, turnout could reach up to one million people, potentially marking one of the country's largest demonstrations since protests began during the summer.

During the rally, opposition figures sharply criticized the authorities. According to reports, lawmaker Shashi Tharoor condemned the Election Commission over the alleged removal of approximately 130 million eligible voters from the rolls, while opposition leader Rahul Gandhi accused the ruling party of forcibly shutting down shops in the capital.

Further details have not yet been released.