Protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar
The protests come amid criticism of the Election Commission over the special intensive revision of voter lists.
The protest at Jantar Mantar in Delhi is gradually intensifying on Friday. Delhi Police detained over 150 protesters, including AAP leaders Saurabh Bhardwaj, Sanjeev Jha, Anurag Dhanda, Atishi, and Sanjay Singh, during a demonstration against Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar. The police also detained protesters trying to reach the protest site from Ashok Road. Section 163 of the Indian National Security Code (BNSS) has also been enforced in New Delhi district, prohibiting gatherings and protests without permission.
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Congress stated in a post on X, "Gyanesh Kumar is a traitor—he should resign and be arrested."
The party mentioned that NSUI workers, led by NSUI President Vinod Jakhar, marched to demand this, alleging that the police acted afterward and detained Jakhar along with several other workers. Congress said, "The BJP, which fears and panics at the truth, should remember—we are followers of Gandhi. No matter how hard you try... you will not be able to silence our voice. We will fight against injustice with full strength."
Abhijit Deepke, founder of the Cockroach People's Party, announced that CEC Gyanesh Kumar should resign, and if he does not, CJP will protest against him. Similarly, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has demanded Gyanesh Kumar's resignation over the irregularities in the Election Commission and has been continuously attacking the BJP on this issue.
During the protest, Delhi Police also detained AISA leader Neha Bora and social activist Yogendra Yadav.
In central Delhi, protesters are now demonstrating on any road. When police removed some protesters, they began protesting on the Feroz Shah Kotla roundabout, sitting in the middle of moving traffic and chanting slogans, thereby stopping traffic.
Student organizations have announced a protest at Jantar Mantar in Delhi on the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over the functioning of the Election Commission and the management of voter lists.
At Jantar Mantar, RJD MP Manoj Jha said that,
Is permission required to protest? After all, this is Gandhi's country. Today is Gandhi Jayanti. I want to say that despite turning the country into a police state, Gyanesh Kumar, the PM, and the Home Minister will not be able to hide their wrongdoings.
The All India Students Association (AISA), Students Federation of India (SFI), and Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) have not been granted permission by Delhi Police for their proposed march. However, the organizations have decided to proceed with their plan to mobilize people. According to a member of one of the organizations, around 1,500 people are expected to participate.
This proposed mobilization is taking place amid widespread protests by activists and student organizations against the Election Commission's removal of names from voter lists and irregularities in the Special Intensive Review (SIR) process.
Meanwhile, Abhijit Deepke, founder of the Cockroach People's Party (CJP), has announced a parallel 'Jail Bharo Andolan' at Shivaji Park in Mumbai on October 2 at 4 PM.
Deepke had previously stated that,
Mumbai Police have denied permission for CJP's proposed protest against Gyanesh Kumar. Following this, he announced that the organization would start the 'Jail Bharo Andolan' on Gandhi Jayanti.
However, Mumbai Police clarified that they are 'not authorized' to grant permission for any assembly at Shivaji Park due to a Bombay High Court order from 2013. The police also stated that the area is a 'silent zone.'
This protest is occurring amid criticisms of the Election Commission regarding the Special Intensive Review of voter lists. The controversy deepened following a newspaper report. According to the report, Election Commissioners Sukbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had raised objections to decisions and orders on at least 14 occasions over ten months, some of which they claimed were issued without their knowledge.
The Youth Congress in Delhi has also started its protest, taking place on the road leading to Jantar Mantar.
SP workers protested in Hazratganj, Lucknow, chanting slogans against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. They attempted to burn an effigy of Gyanesh Kumar, but the police seized the effigy. SP workers staged a vigorous protest at Hazratganj intersection, stating that the murder of democracy will no longer be tolerated. During the protest, police detained SP workers and sent them to Eco Garden.
In Delhi, all routes leading to central Delhi have been closed in view of today's protests, with no one allowed to enter, whether by bike or car. Barricades have been set up several kilometers away from Jantar Mantar, and the police are not allowing anyone to proceed to central Delhi. Many people are arguing with the police. The routes from Lodhi Road in Delhi to central Delhi have also been completely closed, with no one permitted to enter from there.