Key developments: Rahul Gandhi has filed a petition in the Supreme Court seeking the formation of an independent panel to examine the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process used by the Election Commission, alleging procedural flaws and potential voter‑list manipulation. Congress leaders, including Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge, are also planning a "March for Democracy" after being denied a meeting with Chief Justice Surya Kant, underscoring the political pressure around the issue. Security has been heightened around the Supreme Court, AICC headquarters and Parliament Street police stations as protests intensify, and the Court is scheduled to hear pleas related to attacks on protesters and lawyers.
Why it matters: The SIR process is central to the integrity of India’s electoral rolls ahead of upcoming elections. A Supreme Court‑ordered independent probe could compel reforms in the Election Commission, affect voter eligibility, and reshape the political landscape. The heightened security and upcoming court hearings signal a potential escalation between the opposition and the government.
What to watch next: The Supreme Court’s hearing on the petition and related pleas, the response of the Election Commission to calls for an independent panel, and any further protests or legal actions by opposition parties, especially the planned march to the Court. [[1, 2, 3]]