Full Breakdown
DMK Demands Removal of CEC Gyanesh Kumar Amid Nationwide SIR Protests
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Core Event: DMK parliamentary party resolution and mass mobilisations
On October 17, 2026, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) parliamentary party met at its Anna Arivalayam headquarters in Chennai and adopted four resolutions. The primary resolution called for the immediate removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and an inquiry into his conduct, accusing him of overseeing the systematic deletion of legitimate voters through the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The party also pledged solidarity with student-led protests, demanded the scrapping of SIR, and announced that its MPs would submit a petition to the President seeking electoral reforms, including a return to paper ballots.
Background & Context: The SIR exercise and its rollout
The Election Commission introduced SIR in 2025 as a “clean-up” of voter lists, beginning in Bihar. On October 27, 2025 the commission announced SIR would be carried out in twelve states, including Tamil Nadu. DMK President M. K. Stalin objected, alleging the BJP was using the exercise to disenfranchise opposition supporters.
Data & Statistics: Scale of deletions and protest mobilisation
- Critics allege that 130 million names have been removed from the electoral roll since SIR began.
- In Tamil Nadu, the DMK claimed 1 lakh voters were deleted in the Kolathur constituency, far exceeding the commission’s estimate of 20,000 deletions.
- Protests in Delhi have drawn “tens of thousands” of participants; police reports cite the detention of over 1,000 demonstrators on October 10 and approximately 600 additional arrests thereafter.
- The Bombay High Court intervened after a petition alleged around 600 persons were detained on a Saturday and 300 on a Sunday.
Official Statements & Responses
- Sudhanshu Trivedi, BJP spokesperson, dismissed the allegations as “disinformation.”
- Union Minister Piyush Goyal criticised the Congress for “ignoring its own track record” while questioning past CEC appointments.
- Former chief election commissioner OP Rawat described SIR as a “hostile exercise,” and former commissioner Ashok Lavasa called for it to be scrapped.
Criticism & Opposition
Former election commissioners and civil-society analysts have voiced opposition. Political analyst Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay noted that the youth-led protests echo earlier demonstrations that forced the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
On-the-Ground Reports
Delhi’s Jantar Mantar was sealed off, with police deploying barricades and paramilitary forces. In Mumbai, the Bombay High Court ordered that “illegal detentions” not be permitted. Student organisations such as the All India Students’ Association and the Cockroach Janata Party continue street demonstrations, demanding Kumar’s resignation and an independent audit of voter deletions.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Government position: The Election Commission maintains that SIR removes “dead and duplicate” entries to improve roll accuracy.
- Opposition and expert position: Critics argue the exercise disproportionately targets Muslims, lower-caste and poor voters, effectively “vote theft.” No independent audit of the deletions has been released.
Verbatim Quotes
- “This is probably the first time that so many people have gathered in Delhi,” — Mallikarjun Kharge, Congress president
What’s Next: Pending petitions and legislative moves
The DMK resolution calls for a formal petition to the President seeking cancellation of SIR and use of pre-SIR rolls for upcoming elections, and replacement of electronic voting machines with paper ballots. An impeachment notice against Kumar has been moved in the Rajya Sabha, though the opposition lacks the numbers to secure removal. The Bombay High Court hearing on unlawful detentions is ongoing, and the Supreme Court is considering a petition for an independent audit of the SIR process.