Full Breakdown
Protests Against CEC Gyanesh Kumar Escalate on Gandhi Jayanti
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
On October 2, 2026 (Gandhi Jayanti), opposition parties, student bodies and civil-society groups staged coordinated demonstrations in New Delhi, Mumbai, Lucknow and other cities demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Protesters targeted alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, which they say have deleted millions of voters. In Delhi, police barred entry to Jantar Mantar, deployed anti-riot units and detained hundreds; similar crackdowns occurred in Mumbai’s Shivaji Park and Lucknow’s Parivartan Chowk.
Background & Context
The SIR, launched in June 2025, is a nationwide exercise to purge “inactive” names from voter lists. An Indian Express investigation reported that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi lodged at least 14 formal objections, accusing the commission’s leadership of bypassing standard procedures. The Election Commission (EC) maintains that all SIR decisions were taken unanimously and that “differing views” among commissioners are normal. Protesters claim the exercise has removed roughly 13 crore names from draft rolls, threatening the franchise of millions.
Data & Statistics
- Detentions: Delhi Police reported ?700 detainees; other outlets cited ?550 and ?1,000.
- Student arrests: Approximately 700 SFI members were stopped at the Ashoka Road roundabout.
- Transport disruptions: Entry and exit were closed at 12 Delhi Metro stations, including Rajiv Chowk and Janpath.
- Internet curbs: Mobile data services were suspended in central Delhi and at protest sites.
- Voter deletions: Protesters claim 13 crore voters have been removed; the EC acknowledges a net reduction of ?6 crore across ten states and UTs where final rolls were published by July 2026.
Official Statements & Responses
Delhi Police said prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) were imposed to ensure public safety and keep traffic flowing. A senior officer noted that “preventive arrangements” included barricades, Rapid Action Force deployment and bus-shuttle detention. The EC reiterated that the SIR is conducted “under established procedures” and that internal objections are part of the commission’s normal deliberative process.
Criticism & Opposition
Opposition leaders framed the crackdown as an assault on democratic rights. AAP leader Saurabh Bharadwaj called the requirement of police permission to protest at Jantar Mantar “fundamentally flawed.” Youth Congress president Uday Bhanu Chib said the EC must be held accountable for safeguarding every vote.
On-the-Ground Reports
AISA president Neha Bora urged a return to Jantar Mantar and continued peaceful protest. Mudita of the Krantikari Yuva Sangathan likened the security cordon to a “terrorist site” and warned that denying both voting and protest rights amounts to “dictatorship.”
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Detention figures vary: Delhi Police ?700, Indian Express ?550, Hindustan Times ?1,000. The exact number of SFI members seized at Ashoka Road is disputed. No independent audit of the SIR’s voter-deletion data has been released, leaving the scale of disenfranchisement unverified.
What’s Next
The Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) warned of a second wave of protests on October 10 at Jantar Mantar if Kumar does not resign. Prohibitory orders under BNSS remain in force in Delhi until October 21. Opposition coalitions have announced a rally on October 6 and a national programme culminating in a Delhi rally on November 1.