Protests Intensify at Jantar Mantar Demanding CEC Gyanesh Kumar's Resignation; Around 150 Detained

New Delhi: Protests demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar continued for the second consecutive day at Jantar Mantar on Saturday, led by the All India Students' Association (AISA) and various Left-wing bodies. Delhi Police placed extensive barricades to halt the march, leading to scuffles. Around 150 demonstrators were taken into preventive custody, following the detention of over 1,000 protesters on Friday.

Allegations of Irregularities in SIR Process The demonstration saw participation from multiple student and political outfits, including AISA, SFI, NSUI, and AAP. Demonstrators alleged significant irregularities in the revision of voter rolls under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) procedure. Activist Neha Bora released a video message calling upon cadres to persist with demonstrations, asserting that police crackdowns would not deter their demand for accountability. Protests also spread to Mumbai, where Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) founder Abhijeet Dipke warned of launching an agitation at Jantar Mantar from October 10 if the CEC does not step down.

Internal Dissent Within Election Commission Surfaces The unrest follows an investigation by The Indian Express, which reported that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had recorded formal dissent at least 14 times over decisions related to the SIR process over the past 10 months, noting that orders were being issued without their knowledge or endorsement. Responding to the row, the Election Commission stated that internal discussions regularly involve differing viewpoints, maintaining that all official orders comply fully with statutory and legal procedures.

Rahul Gandhi Levels Severe Allegations Congress leader Rahul Gandhi launched a direct offensive during a 55-minute press briefing, accusing the CEC of facilitating vote tampering through manipulated voter rolls. Gandhi stated that he had opposed Gyanesh Kumar’s appointment from the outset and accused the commission of undermining democratic integrity.