Congress gets permission for rally at Delhi's Ramlila Maidan, but with conditions

The conditions laid down by Delhi Police require the organisers to ensure adequate security arrangements, install high-definition CCTV cameras, provide drinking water and toilets, deploy volunteers and ensure that the gathering remains peaceful. The rally's scheduled duration cannot be extended under any circumstances.Delhi Police lays down conditions for Congress rally at Ramlila Maidan on November 1 (Photo: PTI)New Delhi,Oct 27, 2026 23:56 ISTThe Delhi Police has cleared the Congress rally scheduled at Ramlila Maidan on November 1, 2026, imposing a series of conditions on the organisers, including a strict 5 pm deadline to conclude the event, CCTV surveillance and a ban on marches outside the venue. The no-objection certificate (NOC), issued on October 17, remains valid and has not been revoked, according to a copy of the permission letter.The development comes amid a row over the Congress and INDIA bloc's proposed programme against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar. The opposition parties had planned a “public impeachment” event on October 30 as a curtain-raiser for the November 1 rally, but Congress general secretary (organisation) K C Venugopal alleged that permission for the initially planned venue, Ashok Hotel, was withdrawn following police intervention.Venugopal had said the Congress booked Ramlila Maidan from October 25 to November 3 and decided to shift the programme there after facing difficulties securing a venue. He also alleged that police had stopped workers from setting up infrastructure at the ground.The November 1 rally is part of the opposition's campaign over alleged electoral irregularities and its ‘vote chori’ allegations against the BJP. The Congress and its INDIA bloc allies have also raised concerns over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and demanded accountability from the Election Commission. RALLY MUST END BY 5 PM, NO OVERNIGHT STAYUnder the conditions laid down by the Delhi Police, the rally must conclude by 5 pm on November 1, with no extension of the programme permitted under any circumstances. The process of dispersing participants must begin immediately after the event ends.The organisers have also been barred from allowing participants to stay at Ramlila Maidan overnight, either before or after the rally. Any march from the venue to another location during the event is prohibited. Vehicles arriving for the rally, including buses, cars and autos, must be parked only at locations designated by the traffic police.CCTV SURVEILLANCE, CONTROL ROOM MANDATORYThe permission requires the organisers to install high-definition CCTV cameras at the venue's entry and exit gates, stage, seating areas and surrounding locations. A control room equipped with at least five monitors must be set up, with arrangements to record the footage.Organisers must also provide adequate drinking water through tankers and ensure sufficient toilet facilities for participants, including separate toilet blocks for women.A sufficient number of volunteers must be deployed to manage the crowd and ensure the smooth conduct of the rally. All volunteers must be identifiable through a uniform dress code or badges.NO INFLAMMATORY SPEECHES, VIOLENCEThe Delhi Police has made the organisers responsible for ensuring that the rally remains peaceful and does not lead to violence, disorder or any disruption of law and order.Speeches from the stage must not create tensions or disturb social harmony on the basis of caste, religion or colour. If a speaker delivers an inflammatory or threatening speech, the organisers must immediately switch off the microphone and remove the speaker from the stage.The organisers are also required to cooperate fully with the police and comply with all applicable laws and regulations. They must make adequate arrangements to manage participants and maintain public order throughout the event.ORGANISERS MUST SUBMIT DETAILS TO POLICEThe organisers are required to cooperate fully with the Delhi Police and comply with all applicable laws and regulations. They must make the necessary arrangements to manage participants and maintain public order throughout the gathering.The police have also directed them to submit a list of invitees and volunteers, a minute-by-minute schedule of the programme, the number of buses expected and their registration numbers. Any violation of the conditions may invite legal action against the organisers, police have said.- EndsWith PTI inputs