Protests demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar were held in Delhi and Mumbai on Friday, with student organisations, political groups, activists and civil society participants raising concerns over the Election Commission’s handling of electoral-roll revisions and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR).
In Delhi, hundreds of protesters were detained during demonstrations near Jantar Mantar. In Mumbai, a large gathering was held at Shivaji Park, where several well-known personalities were reported to have participated or expressed support for the protest.
The demonstrations centred on demands for greater transparency in voter list revision and concerns raised by protesters over the alleged deletion of eligible voters.
Delhi: Hundreds of protesters detained
- The Delhi protest was organised around demands for accountability from the Election Commission and the resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar.
- Members and supporters of organisations including the All India Students Association (AISA), Students Federation of India (SFI), National Students Union of India (NSUI) and other groups participated in the mobilisation.
- AISA national president Neha Bora, activist Yogendra Yadav, former Delhi Chief Minister Atishi and AAP Delhi chief Saurabh Bharadwaj were among those detained.
- Reports during the day initially put the number of detainees at more than 500, while later police figures were reported to be above 700. Protesters were taken away in buses after police prevented larger groups from assembling around the restricted areas.
- Delhi Police had denied permission for the proposed Jantar Mantar demonstration and imposed restrictions in parts of central Delhi.
Neha Bora and Yogendra Yadav detained
- Neha Bora and Yogendra Yadav were among the activists who reached the protest area despite the restrictions.
- Protesters raised slogans and displayed placards concerning SIR, voter-list revisions and alleged exclusion of eligible voters.
- The allegations concerning voter deletion remain claims made by protesters and political groups and should not be treated as an established finding of wrongdoing by the Election Commission.
Mumbai: Large gathering at Shivaji Park
- Mumbai also witnessed a major protest organised by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) under the leadership of Abhijeet Dipke.
- The organisation demanded the resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar and raised concerns over electoral roll revision and SIR.
- Mumbai Police had earlier denied permission for the proposed gathering. Despite this, protesters assembled at Shivaji Park.
- According to a police estimate reported by the Times of India, around 9,000 to 10,000 people were present at the venue by 4 PM. Other reports described the gathering as being in the thousands. Because the estimates were made at different times and by different sources, the final attendance figure cannot be treated as independently verified.
Film personalities and public figures join Mumbai protest
The Mumbai protest attracted attention because of the participation or reported support of several prominent personalities.
Those reported in connection with the demonstration included:
- Naseeruddin Shah
- Shabana Azmi
- Vishal Dadlani
- Prakash Raj
- Tushar Gandhi
Naseeruddin Shah and Vishal Dadlani were reported to have attended the gathering, while Shabana Azmi and Prakash Raj were also reported in connection with the protest. Tushar Gandhi was among the other public figures reported to have participated.
Other personalities were reported to have expressed support for the campaign through social media. Such expressions of support should be distinguished from physical attendance at the Mumbai event.
Shabana Azmi addresses the gathering
- Shabana Azmi spoke at the Mumbai gathering and referred to voting as a constitutional right.
- She said that people have the right to protest if they believe their names have been removed from electoral rolls.
- Her appearance added significant public attention to the Mumbai demonstration.
What are protesters demanding?
- The protests are primarily focused on the Election Commission’s handling of electoral-roll revisions and the SIR process.
- Protesters and opposition groups have alleged that the revision exercise could result in eligible voters being excluded from electoral rolls.
They are demanding:
- Greater transparency in the SIR process
- Protection of eligible voters’ names
- Accountability from the Election Commission
- Clarification regarding voter deletions and objections
- Resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar
The Election Commission has rejected allegations of deliberate wrongdoing and has maintained that electoral-roll revision is intended to ensure accurate voter lists.
Dispute over Election Commission decisions
- The controversy has also intensified following reports concerning objections raised by Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi over certain decisions and orders related to electoral roll matters and SIR.
- Reports said objections were raised on multiple occasions over a period of months.
- However, the Election Commission has maintained that decisions of the three member Commission, including those concerning SIR, were taken unanimously.
- Therefore, the reported objections should not by themselves be presented as proof of wrongdoing or an institutional split. They form part of the wider political and public debate surrounding the issue.
Maharashtra Government’s response
- Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis rejected the allegations raised against the Election Commission and said the issues had already been addressed by the poll panel.
- His position differs from that of the protesters, who continue to demand greater accountability and transparency.
Further protests planned
- The October 2 demonstrations are part of a wider campaign around electoral roll revision.
- An Opposition-led protest march towards the Election Commission’s office in Delhi has been announced for October 6.
- Separately, Shiv Sena (UBT) and Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) have announced a joint protest in Mumbai for October 4.
- The CJP has also indicated that its campaign will continue and that demonstrations may be held in other cities, including Goa, Kolkata and Bengaluru.
Election Commission’s latest action
- Amid the controversy, the Election Commission has directed officials to register newly eligible voters and people who were previously omitted from electoral rolls.
- The Commission and government have maintained that the electoral-roll revision process is intended to identify eligible voters and remove duplicate, deceased or otherwise ineligible entries.
- Protest groups, however, continue to question the implementation of the process and are demanding stronger safeguards against the exclusion of eligible voters.
October 2 protests: Key points
Delhi
- Hundreds of protesters were detained, with police figures later reported at more than 700.
- Neha Bora and Yogendra Yadav were among those detained.
- Atishi and Saurabh Bharadwaj were also detained.
- AISA, SFI, NSUI and other groups participated.
- Police had denied permission for the Jantar Mantar gathering.
Mumbai
- A large gathering took place at Shivaji Park.
- Police estimated around 9,000-10,000 people by 4 PM.
- The protest was organised by CJP.
- Naseeruddin Shah, Shabana Azmi, Vishal Dadlani and other public figures were reported in connection with the event.
- Protesters demanded greater transparency in electoral roll revision and the resignation of the CEC.
Upcoming
- October 4: Separate Mumbai protest announced by Shiv Sena (UBT) and MNS.
- October 6: Opposition-led protest march towards the Election Commission announced in Delhi.
- CJP has indicated plans for further demonstrations in other cities.
Important clarification
Claims of “mass deletion” of eligible voters, manipulation of electoral rolls or deliberate voter suppression are allegations raised by protesters and political groups. They should not be presented as established facts unless supported by an authoritative finding.
The Election Commission has disputed allegations of wrongdoing and maintains that its decisions concerning SIR were taken unanimously.
