India news: Opposition protest clouds Modi's 25-year milestone

Skip next section What you need to know

What you need to know

• Police tighten security around central Delhi after opposition's sit-in protest
• Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi warns of 'reckoning' 
• Bharatiya Janata Party marks 25 years of Modi in public service

Here are the top headlines from India on Wednesday, October 7: 

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Skip next section BJP marks 25 years of Modi as head of a government

October 7, 2026

BJP marks 25 years of Modi as head of a government

India's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has launched a celebratory campaign —  dubbed 'Seva Sankalp' — to mark Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 25 years as head of a government. 

On October 7, 2001, Modi was first sworn in as chief minister of the western state of Gujarat. 

"As the head of the government, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi's twenty-five years are a testament to service, dedication, good governance, and strong willpower," India's Defense Minister Rajnath Singh said in a post on X. 

Several politicians from the BJP echoed his sentiments, contratulating the premier on his service.

At the center of today's festivities is a bike rally. News agency ANI reported that participants loaded up on bikes arrived in the northern holy city of Varanasi from a different holy city of Tirupati in southern India.

"Covering 2000 km (1,242 miles) after visiting the Balaji temple in Andhra Pradesh, a team of 40 youths—who are also party office-bearers—undertook a journey," a local minister from the state of Uttar Pradesh said, adding that a temple would soon be built to mark the occasion. 

Several states BJP-ruled states are organizing public gatherings where speeches by Modi and BJP party President Nitin Nabin would be telecast on giant screens. 

The celebrations are reminiscent of another recent campaign for Modi's birthday on September 17. Critics had then pointed out that the government was spending massively on public relations, advertising and celebrations, while advising Indians to practice austerity to counter the fallout from global conflicts.

https://p.dw.com/p/5Ns25

Skip next section Tight security in central Delhi after Gandhi's protest

October 7, 2026

Tight security in central Delhi after Gandhi's protest

Visuals coming out of central Delhi on Wednesday morning showed significant police presence, barricades and diverted routes, as authorities stood alert for another round of protesters. 

This comes less than a day after leaders of India's opposition bloc marched on the Election Commission of India to demand a meeting with India's election body over allegations of 'vote theft.'

The march soon turned into a sit-in which ultimately culminated in police detaining several leaders including opposition leader Rahul Gandhi and his sister and lawmaker Priyanka Vadra. They were later released.

"We only want to go ​to the election commissioners, ask them questions, and tell them you have stolen votes," Gandhi said.

On Wednesday morning, authorities once again issued a prohibitory order under Indian law which forbids sloganeering, speeches and public assemblies. It is a regular move to dissuade protesters from gathering and arms the police to detain demonstrators for disturbing public peace. 

https://p.dw.com/p/5Ns1s

Skip next section Welcome to our coverage!

October 7, 2026

Welcome to our coverage!

Good morning and welcome to DW's India news blog. 

This is Mahima Kapoor reporting from Studio Delhi and I will be your guide through the headlines of the day. 

It's the morning after leaders from India's oppotion bloc marched on the Election Commission of India over "vote theft" allegations.

Arguably Modi's biggest political contender, Rahul Gandhi, has vowed retribution against "traitors" who he claims have colluded to errode India's elecotral roll during the controversial revision exercise carried out under Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

This might sound like deja vu to anyone reading this blog regularly, but police in the national capital has beefed up security around central Delhi on Wednesday morning, in anticipation of more protests.

The demonstrations and allegations will likely cast a shadow on what is a milestone day for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The leader's party is celebrating his 25 years as the head of a government with tweets, temple visits and at least one bike rally.