A major political protest took place in New Delhi on Tuesday as INDIA bloc leaders and Opposition MPs marched towards the Election Commission headquarters, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The protest was linked to the controversy surrounding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Opposition parties have alleged that the voter-list revision could lead to the exclusion of eligible voters and have raised concerns about the transparency of the electoral process. The Election Commission and the government have rejected allegations of wrongdoing.
Rahul Gandhi Leads Opposition March
Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, along with Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and other INDIA bloc leaders, participated in the march from Parliament towards the Election Commission headquarters.
The protesters were stopped by police barricades near the route. Rahul Gandhi was seen climbing a barricade during the demonstration, while Opposition MPs staged a sit-in after being prevented from proceeding further. Priyanka Gandhi was also detained during the protest.
Opposition Raises Concerns Over Voter Lists
The Opposition has accused the Election Commission of irregularities in the voter-registration and revision process. Among the demands raised by the INDIA bloc are stronger safeguards against the deletion of eligible voters, an effective appeal mechanism and easier voter registration.
The Opposition has also renewed its demand for greater transparency in the electoral process and has called for the use of ballot papers instead of electronic voting machines.
Heavy Security Deployment in Central Delhi
Delhi Police and paramilitary forces were deployed in large numbers around Parliament, central Delhi and routes leading towards the Election Commission headquarters.
Multiple barricades were placed to restrict the movement of protesters. Police have also introduced body-worn cameras for frontline personnel involved in crowd management amid increased scrutiny of police conduct during recent demonstrations.
Protests and Police Action Continue
The latest demonstration follows several days of protests in the capital. On Monday, a Delhi court granted bail to 17 students and freelance journalists who had been arrested during an earlier protest against the Chief Election Commissioner.
The court also sought a report from the Delhi Police regarding allegations that two detainees were assaulted while in custody.
Meanwhile, police have also taken action over social-media content connected with the protests. Delhi Police arrested a journalist accused of circulating a fabricated video that allegedly falsely portrayed an ACP during the demonstrations.
Political Tensions Remain High
The Delhi protests have intensified the political confrontation between the Opposition and the government over the electoral-roll revision process. Opposition parties say the issue concerns voter rights and electoral transparency, while the government and Election Commission maintain that the revision is intended to identify and remove duplicate or ineligible entries.
Further demonstrations are expected in the coming days, with several student organisations also announcing plans for a protest at Jantar Mantar on October 10.
The situation remains politically sensitive, with security arrangements continuing across central Delhi.
