Third Consecutive Day of Protests Demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s Resignation
Protests have intensified across India demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and condemning irregularities found in the voter list’s ‘Special Intensive Revision’ (SIR). Beginning on October 2 (Gandhi Jayanti), the demonstrations continued into their third consecutive day on Saturday and Sunday. Despite stringent security measures and imposition of prohibitory orders in Delhi, citizens, student organizations, and opposition parties took to the streets. On Sunday, amidst arrests of leaders, common people, social activists, and student groups organized a ‘Citizens March’ from India Gate to Jantar Mantar. Although a large number participated, Delhi police did not permit anyone to reach Jantar Mantar.
During the march, several leaders, including Neha Boras, president of the All India Students Association (AISA), were detained by police. Neha Boras alleged that no female police officers were present in the vehicle transporting her. Activists from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) also took part in significant numbers. During the protests, Delhi AAP president Saurabh Bhardwaj was arrested and forcibly turned upside down by police. Bhardwaj posted a video on social media platform X saying, “The shoes hanging in the air are mine. Today at India Gate, Delhi Police hung me upside down so that cameras wouldn’t capture my face.”
Social activist Yogendra Yadav was also forcibly detained while heading toward Jantar Mantar. Yadav stated, “During the Citizens March today, while proceeding to the designated protest site Jantar Mantar, the police forcibly took me into custody. This is not merely a symbolic one-day protest, but a sustained movement that will continue until Gyanesh Kumar steps down.” On Sunday evening, Youth Congress activists held a sit-in protest on the Jantar Mantar road. The Youth Congress posted on X, “We are sitting on dharna on Jantar Mantar road demanding the return of Jantar Mantar to the people and the arrest of Gyanesh Kumar.”
There were also allegations of mistreatment of female journalists and protesters on Saturday. Police stopped protesters attempting to reach Jantar Mantar near Kerala House and detained them. The protest included AISA activists along with prominent figures such as senior advocates Kapil Sibal, Prashant Bhushan, and Yogendra Yadav. During the events, AISA president Neha Boras accused female police officers of inflicting injuries on her elbows and nails. Two female journalists and a young female protester also filed serious allegations of sexual harassment against police officials. One female journalist reported that while arresting Neha Boras, ACP Vivek Bhagat pressed his hand against her chest and pushed her. In response, journalists protested outside the Parliament Street police station on Saturday and Sunday.
In Mumbai, the ‘Garjana Morcha’ has garnered widespread support not only in Delhi but also there, backed by Bollywood artists. On Sunday, Shiv Sena leader Uddhav Thackeray and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena’s Raj Thackeray jointly organized the ‘Virat Garjana Morcha.’ Both Uddhav and Raj Thackeray personally participated in the historic march. Earlier, on October 2, following an investigative report by The Indian Express, the Kukroach Janata Party (CJP) held a demonstration at Shivaji Park in Mumbai. Despite police denying permission, thousands gathered. CJP founder Abhijit Deepak stated that due to government inefficiency, the protest was necessary for the second time in two months. He emphasized the need to protect voting rights granted by Dr. B. R. Ambedkar and Jawaharlal Nehru from governmental interference. The Mumbai protest also saw solidarity from renowned personalities such as Bollywood actors Naseeruddin Shah, Shabana Azmi, and music composer Vishal Dadlani.
Despite the Election Commission’s defense and launch of a new campaign, opposition remains strong. On Friday morning, the Commission announced via X that it would conduct a special campaign to include names omitted in the ‘Special Intensive Revision’ (SIR). According to the Commission, booth-level officers will visit households, prioritize young voters, and hold special camps at booths for filling out Form-6. However, protesters remain firm in continuing their movement until Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar resigns.
