Left Student Unions, Other Groups Stage Delhi Protest Against CEC Gyanesh Kumar
Student groups protest over SIR and alleged electoral roll irregularities.
Left student unions and several civil society organisations staged protests in New Delhi on Friday, October 2, demanding the resignation or removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. A large number of students and activists participated in the mobilisation, with several protesters detained by police. The groups have raised objections to the Election Commission’s handling of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
CPI-M General Secretary M.A. Baby said youth and student activists affiliated with the Students’ Federation of India (SFI) and Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) had travelled to Delhi from different parts of the country to participate in the demonstration. Baby claimed the mobilisation was intended to press for Kumar’s removal and said protests would continue if the Chief Election Commissioner did not resign. He also said the INDIA bloc planned a rally on November 1 and that its MPs and other leaders would march on October 6.
The protest took place amid restrictions imposed by Delhi Police in the New Delhi district. Police had denied permission for the proposed gathering at Jantar Mantar and imposed prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), restricting unauthorised gatherings, demonstrations, processions and dharnas. Police said the restrictions were intended to maintain public order and ensure the smooth movement of traffic.
Also Read: CEC Protest: Atishi, Bharadwaj, Sanjay Singh And Students Among 700 Detained In Delhi
Rajya Sabha member A.A. Rahim criticised the denial of permission and the detention of protesters, arguing that peaceful demonstrations were a democratic right. CPI-M leader Brinda Karat also demanded action against Kumar and called for an end to the SIR exercise. Karat alleged that nearly 13 crore voters had been removed from electoral rolls under Kumar’s leadership; this figure and the broader allegations have been raised by opposition parties and activists and remain contested political claims.
The mobilisation comes amid a wider political dispute over the SIR process and the functioning of the Election Commission. Opposition parties have accused the poll panel of irregularities in the revision of electoral rolls, while the Election Commission has maintained that the revision process is being conducted according to established procedures. The protests in Delhi form part of broader opposition efforts to press their concerns over electoral rolls and demand action against the Chief Election Commissioner.
The demonstrations also coincided with plans by opposition groups for further mobilisation in the coming days. Delhi Police had heightened security around Jantar Mantar, with restrictions also affecting movement around several areas and metro stations in the New Delhi district. The continuing protests are expected to keep the dispute over the SIR exercise, electoral rolls and the Election Commission’s functioning in the political spotlight.
Also Read: Activists, Student Leaders Plan October 2 Jantar Mantar Protest Against CEC Gyanesh Kumar
