The Indian National Congress on Wednesday, October 7, 2026, declared a “black day” for Indian democracy in response to the Delhi Police’s handling of opposition leaders during a protest in the capital. The party called its state units to observe the day and to stage protests across the country on Thursday, October 8, 2026.
A circular issued by Congress general secretary (organisation) K.C. Venugopal condemned the police action, stating that senior leaders such as Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, along with other members of the INDIA Bloc, were brutally manhandled, lathi‑charged and seriously injured. The party described the assault on the Leader of the Opposition and elected representatives as an assault on the Constitution itself.
CPI(M) MP V. Sivadasan reported that Delhi Police officers physically assaulted him inside a police vehicle, adding that Home Minister Amit Shah could not suppress the protest.
Delhi Police detained more than 90 people, including top opposition leaders. NSUI members released a video alleging that an unidentified person damaged a bus that police had brought to the protest venue near the roundabout at Le Meridien and Shangri‑La hotels.
