Full Breakdown
Opposition Parties March to India’s Supreme Court Over Voter-Roll Purge
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Supreme Court March Over Voter-Roll Purge
On October 12, 2026, leaders of the Congress-led Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) and members of the youth-driven Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) marched from Barakhamba Road to the Supreme Court in New Delhi. The delegation filed a petition demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and alleging that the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls has disenfranchised millions of voters. Five to ten leaders were permitted by the court’s administration to submit the petition at the filing counter.
Background: Special Intensive Revision of Electoral Rolls
The SIR began in 2025 as a verification exercise intended to remove duplicate, deceased, and otherwise ineligible entries from the draft voter lists. According to figures cited by the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), more than 130 million names were deleted – a number exceeding the population of Japan. The Election Commission breakdown includes 28 million deceased persons, 63 million migrants, and 30 million individuals whose whereabouts could not be verified. Two Election Commission deputies reportedly raised internal concerns, as reported by *The Indian Express*.
Scale of the Voter-List Deletions
- 130 million+ names removed (Election Commission figures cited by the BJP).
- 28 million deceased, 63 million migrants, 30 million untraceable.
- Opposition parties allege the deletions disproportionately affect Muslim and other minority voters, a claim rejected by the Election Commission and the BJP.
Police Actions and Detentions
In the days preceding the march, Delhi police closed six metro stations for “security reasons” and announced traffic diversions at 20 locations (Guardian). *SBS* reported 45 stations shut and mobile internet suspended, creating a discrepancy. Police detained thousands of protesters over the weekend, including CJP leaders. On October 10, police said 2,400 people were taken into custody, most released later that night. The CJP claims over 10,000 arrests nationwide. Reporters Without Borders said at least 16 journalists were detained, calling the actions “unacceptable.”
Official Positions
- Election Commission: The revision was necessary to eliminate duplicates and fraudulent registrations; wrongly deleted voters may re-enrol.
- BJP: Denies any political motive, stating the purge is a routine clean-up.
- Chief Justice Surya Kant: Declined a private meeting with Rahul Gandhi and Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, directing the opposition to pursue formal judicial proceedings.
- Police: Justified metro closures and detentions as security measures; announced new protest sites to replace Jantar Mantar.
Opposition and Civil-Society Criticism
Opposition leaders, led by Rahul Gandhi, describe the SIR as “vote theft” and demand Kumar’s resignation. “Gyanesh Kumar is in fear. He is unable to sleep,” — Rahul Gandhi. The CJP has called Prime Minister Narendra Modi “a disgrace to India” and a “coward and tyrant.” The Guardian noted the government’s “extremely intolerant approach toward dissent” and the rarity of protests of this scale.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Metro closures: Guardian cites six stations; *SBS* reports 45 stations and internet suspension.
- Detention numbers: Police state 2,400 arrests on October 10; CJP alleges over 10,000 arrests nationwide.
- Impact on minority voters: Opposition claims disproportionate effect, while the Election Commission provides no demographic breakdown.
What’s Next
The Supreme Court has scheduled a hearing on petitions concerning the detention of lawyers involved in the protests for the following Tuesday. Police have identified three alternative protest sites—Ramlila Ground, Burari Ground, and CBD Ground—to replace Jantar Mantar. Opposition leaders plan to continue filing legal challenges and organizing further demonstrations pending the court’s rulings.