However, the permission comes with a series of strict conditions governing crowd management, security, speeches, transport and the dispersal of participants.
The opposition alliance is planning a massive mobilisation against alleged “vote chori” (vote theft), demanding accountability over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The Congress has set an ambitious target of bringing 10 lakh people to the rally, with party workers and supporters expected to arrive from across the country.
5 PM deadline, no overnight stay
According to the police, the NOC permits the organisers to book Ramlila Maidan from October 25 to November 3, subject to approval from the land-owning authority.
The rally itself is scheduled to take place on November 1 between 10 am and 5 pm.
The police have made it clear that the programme must conclude by 5 pm, with dispersal beginning immediately afterwards. The deadline cannot be extended under any circumstances.
Participants will not be allowed to stay overnight at the venue, either before or after the event. Organisers must also ensure that buses, cars, tempos and other vehicles are parked only at locations designated by the traffic police.
CCTV surveillance, volunteers under scanner
As part of the security arrangements, organisers have been directed to install high-definition CCTV cameras at strategic locations, including entry and exit gates, the stage, seating enclosures and surrounding areas.
The surveillance system must include recording facilities, monitoring equipment with at least five screens and a dedicated CCTV control room.
Organisers must deploy adequate volunteers to manage the crowd. Volunteers will be required to wear uniform clothing or carry common identification badges to ensure they can be easily recognised.
The police have also directed the organisers to arrange sufficient water tankers and toilet blocks, including separate facilities for women.
No march outside Ramlila Maidan
Maintaining law and order is another key condition attached to the permission.
Organisers must ensure that the rally remains peaceful and that participants do not engage in unruly or disruptive behaviour.
The police have also prohibited any march towards a destination outside Ramlila Maidan, restricting the programme to the designated venue.
Congress leaders review rally preparations
Congress general secretary KC Venugopal on Saturday met the heads of the party’s frontal organisations at the All India Congress Committee headquarters at Indira Bhawan in Delhi to review preparations.
He subsequently held discussions with Delhi Congress office-bearers.
AICC treasurer Ajay Maken also attended the meetings as the party stepped up its organisational efforts ahead of the rally.
Ashok Hotel permission row preceded rally
The November 1 mobilisation follows a dispute over permission for another INDIA bloc programme planned for October 30.
The Congress had alleged that it was denied permission to organise an event at the government-run Ashok Hotel, where 21 opposition parties had planned a symbolic “public impeachment” of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Earlier, on October 12, opposition leaders and activists had participated in a ‘March for Democracy’ in the national capital, adding to the opposition’s campaign over alleged electoral irregularities.