Full Breakdown
Protests at Jantar Mantar Over the Election Commission’s Voter-Roll Revision
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
On September 25, 2026, demonstrators gathered at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi demanding the resignation and arrest of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Police detained roughly 50–60 protesters, citing a lack of permission, and later detained participants from parallel rallies organized by the Indian Youth Congress, the All India Students’ Association (AISA), and the Congress party.
Background & Context
The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise updates voter lists nationwide. Critics—including opposition parties, student unions and civil-society groups—claim the revision risks “vote-chori” by deleting legitimate voters, especially from minority and marginalised communities. An Indian Express report said Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi raised objections at least 14 times over ten months. The Election Commission says all SIR decisions were approved unanimously by the three-member poll panel.
Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| July 20 | Home Ministry instructed security forces to avoid lethal crowd-control weapons ahead of anticipated Jantar Mantar demonstrations. |
| September 25 | AISA-led protest at Jantar Mantar and a Congress march from ITO to Nirvachan Sadan; 50–60 protesters detained. |
| September 29 | PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti called for a protest at Jantar Mantar from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. |
| September 30 | CPI(ML) Liberation general secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya announced an INDIA bloc meeting to discuss the SIR exercise. |
| October 2 | AISA delegation led by Neha Bora submitted an “intimation letter” to Parliament Street police requesting permission for a protest demanding CEC Kumar’s resignation. Police acknowledged receipt but said it was not a permission. |
Data & Statistics
- 13 crore voters reportedly excluded (AISA letter).
- ? 50–60 protesters detained on September 25 (Delhi Police).
- 5 buses of protesters removed from the site (NDTV).
Official Statements & Responses
- Delhi Police: The September 25 gathering lacked prior permission; detentions were lawful. Police warned that a viral video of a “massive protest” was old footage and signalled possible legal action against misinformation.
- Election Commission: All SIR decisions had unanimous commission approval; a letter to the Cabinet Secretary concerned an officer on deputation, not policy.
- Union Home Ministry: Directed use of non-lethal crowd-control methods (lathis, tear gas, water cannons) and prohibited pellet guns for upcoming demonstrations.
Criticism & Opposition
Opposition leaders and student activists accuse the police of suppressing dissent. CPI(ML) Liberation general secretary Dipankar Bhattacharya alleged the government placed police “in front to detain us” after CEC Kumar’s alleged “murder of democracy.”
Verbatim Quotes
- “It is up to the Delhi police to facilitate us or to face us,” — Ms. Bora, AISA president
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
What’s Next
- The October 2 protest will proceed unless permission is denied; police have only acknowledged receipt of the AISA intimation letter.
- An India bloc meeting on September 30 is expected to coordinate actions against the SIR exercise and the Election Commission.
- Delhi Police have indicated readiness to enforce non-lethal crowd-control measures during upcoming demonstrations.