Objecting to the manner in which the Delhi Police manhandled Opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, the Congress on Wednesday (October 7, 2026) called its State units to observe a black day and protests in the States on Thursday (October 8, 2026).

“Shri Rahul Gandhi, our senior leaders and MPs of INDIA Bloc were brutally manhandled, lathi-charged and seriously injured. This assault on the Leader of the Opposition and the elected representatives of the people is an assault on the Constitution itself. The Indian National Congress declares today as a ‘BLACK DAY’ for Indian Democracy,” a circular issued by general secretary (organisation) K.C. Venugopal read.

CPI(M) MP V. Sivadasan claimed that Delhi Police officers physically assaulted them inside the police vehicle. “[Home Minister] Amit Shah cannot destroy this protest,” he said.

The Delhi Police had detained over 90 persons, including the top Opposition leaders.

NSUI members released a video, claiming that an unidentified person damaged a bus that the police personnel brought to the protest venue at the roundabout near Le Meridien and Shangri La hotels.