Indian Congress Party holds massive protest in New Delhi

The heart of the Indian capital was transformed on Sunday into a vast theater of mass resistance to the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

A rally organized by a coalition of centrist and left-wing opposition parties in India appeared to be one of the largest demonstrations against Mr. Modi since he and his nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party took power more than a decade ago, although it took place without the violent clashes between demonstrators and security forces that have marred other recent demonstrations.

Thousands of people filled the streets of central New Delhi to the sound of drums, chants and waving Indian flags. Inside the gates of the rally venue, a field called Ramlila Ground, tens of thousands more gathered in the full afternoon sun as opposition leaders denounced the Modi government’s handling of updating the country’s electoral rolls – a process that has so far resulted in the deletion of more than 130 million names.

Rahul Gandhi, scion of India’s most illustrious political dynasty and leader of the opposition Congress party in the lower house of Parliament, chastised Mr. Modi and his government, accusing them of “treason” against Indian democracy.

“You have stolen the conscience of India,” Mr. Gandhi said, repeating protesters’ demand that the chief election commissioner, appointed by Mr. Modi, resign.

Waving to the crowd, Mr Gandhi tried to reassure them that their large numbers would make a difference. “You are here to send a message to Narendra Modi,” he said, “and you have done it.”