BY SANJEEB KUMAR SAHOO
Before I go ahead with my discussion about the Opposition INDIA bloc leaders’ Sagar Ratna-to-Shangri-La episode and the political “Ram-Laxman” pairing of Rahul Gandhi and Deepender Singh Hooda, along with Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, I would first like to say that Constitution lovers in the United States of America have long taken to the streets to remind those in power, “No kings, no thrones, no crowns.”
For more than a year, millions of people have come together to send a clear message: “In America, we have no kings. Power does not belong to billionaires, strongmen, or politicians who believe they are above accountability.”
Interestingly, regarding the next scheduled rallies for the No Kings protests, the official No Kings website states that families across the country are struggling to afford groceries, gas, electricity bills, and the everyday cost of living.’ The decisions made by those in power shape our lives, our communities, and our future.
The next No Kings protests, also known as “No Kings: Vote Early,” are planned for October 17, 2026, as part of a series of demonstrations taking place largely across the United States of America (USA) against President Donald Trump’s policies and actions during his second presidency. The demonstrations will follow previous No Kings protests held in June 2025, October 2025, and March 2026. One of the announced goals of the upcoming demonstrations is to encourage early voting in the USA midterm general elections.
The USA midterm general elections are scheduled to be held, in large part, on November 3, 2026. These midterm elections, taking place during Republican President Donald Trump’s second term, will include contests for all 435 seats in the USA House of Representatives and 35 of the 100 seats in the USA Senate, helping determine the makeup of the 120th United States Congress.
In addition, 39 state and territorial gubernatorial elections, attorney general elections, and numerous state and local elections will also be contested.
Protests are allowed in the United States because the First Amendment to the USA Constitution explicitly protects freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, and the right to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
Sagar Ratna to Shangri-La
So, ladies and gentlemen, it is time to spill the beans—I mean, come to the point. On October 7, I mean yesterday, I reached New Delhi’s Janpath Road very late, at around 1:42 p.m., to cover the INDIA bloc’s lunch meeting and its march to the Election Commission of India office from Sagar Ratna. I was late because I was writing a story about the INDIA bloc protest that took place on October 6.
Well, when I reached there, I noticed that hundreds of camera persons, reporters, television journalists, and print journalists were standing outside the Sagar Ratna restaurant, as Opposition leaders of the INDIA bloc were gathering there for lunch. The menu included idli, vada, dosa, sambar, coconut chutney, the “South Ke Superstar” thali, and South Indian sweets.
However, the lunch meeting was not merely about food. It was also an opportunity for the INDIA bloc leaders to discuss and finalise their political strategy regarding the proposed dismissal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
When I reached there, within a few seconds, India’s noted senior advocate and Rajya Sabha MP Kapil Sibal arrived. His legal advice is considered important for the INDIA bloc, and whenever the Congress’s top leadership needs legal advice, they turn to Kapil Sibal, who has often advised them.
Then, young lawmaker Deepender Singh Hooda, the Lok Sabha MP from Rohtak, arrived. I call him Rahul Gandhi’s “Laxman” because whenever Rahul Gandhi needs him for an important event, he often asks, “Where is Deepender?” Deepender Singh Hooda has played an important role in handling key events involving Rahul Gandhi in the Delhi-NCR region.
Since Deepender Singh Hooda is considered one of Rahul Gandhi’s most trusted and key aides, his presence is often significant at important political events involving Rahul Gandhi.
After spending a few minutes at the Sagar Ratna restaurant and having a brief conversation with Deepender Singh Hooda, Kapil Sibal left for the Supreme Court, where he was scheduled to appear in an important matter concerning “Special Intensive Revision (SIR).”
A few minutes later, Opposition leader and senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi arrived. Just before him, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge had also arrived at the Sagar Ratna restaurant.
However, this was a high-profile luncheon meeting hosted by Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge. I believe that, even before lunch began, the leaders had already made the necessary preparations and plans for the October 7 march from Sagar Ratna to the Election Commission of India office.
Well, this is a fact: even the October 7 march to the Election Commission of India (ECI) office, led by INDIA bloc leaders, once again ended with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi at the centre of the protest, just like his presence during the INDIA bloc protest at Akashvani Bhavan.
October 7 will also be remembered for Rahul Gandhi’s two key aides, Deepender Singh Hooda and Amrinder Singh Raja Warring. When the bus carrying Rahul Gandhi reached near Ashoka Road Gol Chakkar, Deepender Singh Hooda and Amrinder Singh Raja Warring climbed onto the top of the bus with the Indian national flag and began chanting slogans demanding the dismissal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Yesterday, another young Congress Rajya Sabha MP, Imran Pratapgarhi, was also in full form as he joined Deepender Singh Hooda and Amrinder Singh Raja Warring and climbed onto the top of the bus with them. I believe healthy competition is also needed in politics, and politicians should be able to become strong street fighters while remaining connected to the needs and concerns of common people of India.
When Rahul Gandhi’s bus, carrying several INDIA bloc leaders, reached near the Shangri-La, a standoff began between the Delhi Police and protesters over the barricades that prevented them from proceeding towards the Election Commission of India office.
Without any hesitation, Rahul Gandhi got down from the bus to support Congress leaders and members who were demanding that the barricades be removed. Even after witnessing the incident amid such a huge crowd, I still find it difficult to believe what happened.
When Rahul Gandhi got down from the bus, Amrinder Singh Raja Warring also got down, and Deepender Singh Hooda joined him in supporting Rahul Gandhi’s demand to remove the barricades and proceed towards the Election Commission of India office.
And trust me, the period between approximately 5:30 p.m. and 6:15 p.m. was a significant political moment. It may always be remembered as the “Sagar Ratna to Sagar Ratna” episode.
Delhi’s Lutyens’ zone
Even common citizens did not appear to have a problem with the protest despite being stuck in traffic, as protesters had been stopped by the Delhi Police between the Shangri-La Eros New Delhi and the Le Méridien Hotel. The area around these hotels is close to the Gol Park/Green Park area and falls within Delhi’s Lutyens’ zone, which connects major roads including Ashoka Road, Janpath, Raisina Road, and Ferozeshah Road.
Despite the standoff and arguments continuing between the Delhi Police and Congress and INDIA bloc leaders, the Delhi Police did not allow Congress leaders, cadres, members, or other INDIA bloc leaders to proceed towards the ECI office as part of the police’s responsibility for maintaining law and order.
It appeared that the police had received instructions not to allow the protesters to reach the ECI office. The Delhi Police reports to the Union Home Ministry, headed by Home Minister Amit Shah.
However, after around 6:25 p.m., the Delhi Police detained Rahul Gandhi, other Congress leaders, INDIA bloc leaders, and Congress and INDIA bloc cadres and took them to Barakhamba Police Station. They were all released before 10:10 p.m. on October 7.
However, like the October 6 protest, the October 7 protest was also largely peaceful, except for a few arguments between Congress cadres and the Delhi Police and central police personnel. The police were carrying out their duty, while the protesters were exercising what they believed was their duty to defend democracy and protect constitutional values.
I also believe that the protests will continue in the coming days. On September 30, I mean Wednesday, the Opposition under the INDIA bloc decided to take its fight over alleged “vote theft” to the people and demanded the immediate removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar from the post of CEC.
The programme included “Save Democracy” marches from October 2 to 8, a march by Opposition MPs to the Election Commission on October 6, a meeting with President Droupadi Murmu in the second week of October, and a mega rally in Delhi on November 1.
Street Fighter
Now, I would like to conclude by saying that there is no doubt that Rahul Gandhi was born into a well-established political family and grew up in a privileged environment. Due to his “achha karma of purva janam,” meaning good deeds performed in a past life—and I believe many Hindus who believe in Hinduism would understand this idea—he has had many advantages in life.
Despite being born into a well-established political family and growing up in a privileged environment, over the last couple of years he appears to have developed an interest in living more like an ordinary person, something he spoke about after 2019. And believe me, I feel he has a good heart and genuine concern for needy people. That is why he has increasingly been seen on the streets, standing with people and taking on the role of a street fighter.
So, regarding what I said on October 6, I would like to repeat it: it appeared to me that these days he is becoming more interested in leading protests more effectively, as this was his third notable political strategy in the last three months.
The first was his unexpected protest on July 21 outside Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s official residence at 7 Lok Kalyan Marg in New Delhi, in support of the youth and demanding action against those who allegedly used lathis, pellet guns, and tear gas against protesters who were marching towards Parliament on July 20.
The second was when India’s Opposition Leader, Rahul Gandhi, demonstrated his leadership by reaching the DCP’s office at Parliament Street Police Station on August 21. The third was when Rahul Gandhi set up a temporary Opposition office under the shade of a banyan tree at the Akashvani Bhawan premises in New Delhi for about nine hours on October 6. The fourth was the October 7 protest, which I have described here.
So, trust me, after the October 10 Chhatron Ki Gunj programme, which will be held in Tamil Nadu’s capital, Chennai, you may see another version of the “Street Fighter” side of Rahul Gandhi.
