Protests have intensified in Delhi over allegations of irregularities in India’s electoral-roll revision, with demonstrators demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and a halt to the process. The demonstrations, initially organised by the youth-led Cockroach Janta Party (CJP), have gained support from opposition parties, student groups and civil society organisations.
The protests centre on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, an extensive exercise being conducted after 22 years. The Election Commission says the process is intended to remove ineligible and duplicate entries and add people legally entitled to vote. Protesters, however, allege that the revision could result in mass disenfranchisement and have called for greater transparency.
Nearly 7,000 people were reportedly temporarily detained by Delhi Police on the first day of protests on 10 October. Among those detained were CJP leaders Abhijeet Dipke, Ashutosh Ranka and Saurav Das, who were released the following day after appearing in court. The activists alleged that their phones were seized and that they were denied access to legal counsel.
The Supreme Court has focused on protecting the right to peaceful protest while maintaining public order. It directed authorities not to illegally detain peaceful protesters, called for normal Delhi Metro operations and said internet services should not be disrupted unnecessarily. Chief Justice of India Surya Kant separately declined a request for a meeting with opposition leaders, saying political protests should take place peacefully and that the Supreme Court should not be drawn into the political dispute.
The opposition INDIA bloc, led by figures including Rahul Gandhi, has backed the demonstrations and expanded the campaign into a wider challenge over electoral integrity. Gandhi accused authorities of using excessive force against protesters and said the government was making a mistake by protecting CEC Gyanesh Kumar. He said the protests would continue until the election system was revamped and Kumar was removed.
The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has rejected the allegations and accused the opposition of creating unnecessary disruption and undermining public institutions. BJP leaders have also described the CJP as an arm of the opposition. The Election Commission has defended the SIR process, saying it is committed to carrying out its constitutional duties with integrity and that decisions on the revision were taken collectively and unanimously.
The protests have now developed into a broader political confrontation involving opposition parties, student organisations and civil society groups. Delhi remains on high alert, while CJP leaders have said they plan to seek permission for further peaceful demonstrations at Jantar Mantar.
