Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Sunday urged people to join the INDIA bloc’s ‘Chalo Dilli’ march in the national capital, calling for public participation in the protest against alleged electoral irregularities and demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar.

In a post on X, Rahul Gandhi appealed to people to gather at Connaught Place and march together towards Ramlila Maidan, where the opposition alliance is organising a major rally.

“Delhi, get ready! Save the Vote, Save the Nation. Come to Connaught Place, let’s march together. Or meet directly at Ramlila Maidan – but you must come. Today | 12 PM,” he posted.

The INDIA bloc has expressed optimism about public participation in the rally, asserting that the protest would witness “historic participation” extending beyond party workers.

Earlier in the day, while speaking to media, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut described the gathering as a “mega rally” and said the opposition would continue its agitation until the Chief Election Commissioner stepped down.

“They (the government) may be under the assumption that the agitation has ended, but we won’t let them go until Gyanesh Kumar resigns,” he asserted.

Raut also reiterated Rahul Gandhi’s allegation that people were being stopped from participating in the rally.

The INDIA bloc is organising the large-scale gathering at Ramlila Maidan to protest alleged electoral irregularities, oppose the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and demand the resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar.

The opposition alliance expects a major show of strength, as leaders from constituent parties, workers, and student groups have started to gather at the venue. The protest comes amid allegations by opposition parties of irregularities in the voter list revision process being undertaken by the Election Commission of India (ECI).

Meanwhile, extensive security arrangements have been put in place across New Delhi and Central Delhi ahead of the rally. Additional personnel from the Rapid Action Force (RAF), Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), along with Delhi Police personnel, have been deployed around Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Marg.

Delhi Police have also tightened security across the national capital. Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) is in force across Delhi districts, and gatherings have been prohibited at key locations, including Jantar Mantar and the Election Commission office.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has ordered that any level and kind of threat from the “enemies” must be met with an “immediate and effective” response without geographical limitations, according to a statement published on the leader’s website on Saturday.

He made the remarks at a meeting with the Iranian armed forces’ senior commanders, including Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces Ali Abdollahi, Army’s Chief Commander Amir Hatami, Commander-in-Chief of the Islamic Revolution Guard Corps Ahmad Vahidi, the statement said.

He stressed that if the “enemies” resume military or terrorist attacks against Iran, the Iranian armed forces and people will determine the time and conditions for the war’s end, Xinhua news agency reported. Khamenei also highlighted the necessity to “strengthen the country’s military intelligence architecture, deepen home-grown defence in terms of doctrine and tactics, and advance modern defence and security capabilities using cutting-edge technologies.”

The Supreme Leader emphasised that the country’s bank of targets must be updated in such a way that “various tangible and intangible assets of the US-Israeli enemy are brought within the Iranian armed forces’ reach.”

At the meeting, the senior military commanders presented reports on the armed forces’ state of readiness, and briefed the Supreme Leader on the manifold rise in the country’s production of various types of ammunition, as well as reconnaissance, support and combat weaponry.

The Iranian Supreme Leader’s remarks came amid heightened US threats of military action against Iran.

The United States has told several Gulf countries to prepare for a brief but intense military campaign against Iran after the US midterm elections, The Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday, citing people briefed on the conversations.

According to the report, the United States and Israel are preparing for another round of intense military operations against Iran.

On February 28, Israel and the United States launched joint attacks on Tehran and other Iranian cities. Iran responded with waves of missile and drone attacks targeting Israel and US bases and assets in the region, and tightened its grip on the Strait of Hormuz.

A minor girl was allegedly raped after being offered a lift in Bihar Sheikhpura district, following which the accused abandoned her in an unconscious condition on the roadside and fled.

Police arrested the accused in neighbouring Lakhisarai district within 12 hours of the incident.

Addressing a press conference at the SDPO’s office on Saturday, SDPO Dr Rakesh Kumar said the incident took place on Friday evening when the student was waiting near the RD College turn after attending coaching classes.

According to the police, the accused, Amrit Kumar alias Amit Kumar, a resident of Jakhraj Sthan, arrived in his Scorpio SUV and offered to drop her home.

The girl reportedly insisted that he first speak to her family members before she got into the vehicle.

The accused tried calling them from his mobile phone, but they did not answer.

After he assured her that he would drop her home safely, the girl agreed to get into the vehicle.

However, instead of taking her home, the accused allegedly drove towards Madari Road, beyond the deserted Bhadaus turn, where he raped her inside the car.

He subsequently abandoned the girl near Jharkhand Mandir turn, close to Pachna village, while she was unconscious, and fled.

After managing to reach home, the girl and her family approached the police. A case was registered at the women’s police station the same night.

Following directions from Superintendent of Police Himanshu, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) was formed under the leadership of the SDPO.

The team included the Cyber DSP, Sadar SHO, SHO of the women’s police station and personnel from the technical cell.

Police traced the accused through the mobile number he had used to contact the girl’s family.

The number appeared on the family’s phone, providing investigators with a crucial lead.

Tracking its location, the team raided the residence of Munna Singh at Jamui Mor in Lakhisarai district and arrested Amrit Kumar late Friday night.

The accused was brought to Sheikhpura. Police also seized the Scorpio SUV allegedly used in the crime and two mobile phones.

Dr Kumar said the victim underwent a medical examination, while a Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) team collected scientific evidence from the vehicle and the alleged crime scene.

“The case will undergo a speedy trial. The police administration will submit a chargesheet against the accused in court within 15 days,” the SDPO said.

Police said further investigation was underway.