Indian police detained demonstrators in New Delhi on Friday during a rally demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The unrest followed a report from last month indicating that two election commissioners had raised concerns with Kumar regarding decisions on voter list revisions across several states and federal territories.
Participants marched under the banner of the Delhi Coordination Committee of People Against SIR. Protestors carried national flags and demanded an immediate halt to the electoral roll revision exercise.
The Election Commission has carried out special intensive revision exercises of electoral rolls in multiple states. Opposition parties have alleged that these actions resulted in the removal of a large number of voters from the registries.
During the demonstration, participants chanted slogans against Gyanesh Kumar and attempted to march toward the office of the Election Commission of India. Local television footage captured Delhi Police personnel detaining individuals participating in the march. Authorities have not yet released a statement regarding the exact number of people taken into custody.
Several groups joined the mobilisation, including the All India Students Association. The left-wing student organisation posted a statement on the social media platform X.
The student group wrote that they would not relinquish their right to vote or their right to protest for it. They added that India is a democratic country and they will ensure that spirit remains alive.
In response to the mounting criticism, the Election Commission of India maintained that all its actions have strictly complied with relevant laws and instructions.
Meanwhile, the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party accused opposition parties and foreign powers of attempting to destabilise the country.
