Delhi: Groups March Near Ashok Road Demanding CEC's Resignation
AISA and other groups march near Ashok Road demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar amid electoral roll controversies.
The national capital witnessed intense demonstrations as members of the All India Students' Association (AISA) and various other organisations held a protest march near Ashok Road. The protesters are demanding the immediate resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar, amid growing controversies surrounding the electoral process.
Escalating Tensions and Police Detentions
The protests have led to significant friction between demonstrators and law enforcement. Earlier on Saturday, Delhi Police detained several AISA members during a demonstration near Jantar Mantar. The unrest is largely driven by concerns regarding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
The situation turned volatile when several protesters, including AISA President Neha Bora and prominent senior advocates Prashant Bhushan and Kapil Sibal, attempted to breach police barricades near Jantar Mantar to move forward with their march. Following these incidents, the Delhi Police have registered at least three FIRs related to the mass protests held on October 2, with cases filed at both the Parliament Street and Connaught Place police stations.
The Core of the Controversy: Electoral Roll Irregularities
The demand for the CEC's removal stems from allegations of irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise. The controversy gained momentum following a report in The Indian Express, which highlighted internal friction within the Election Commission.
According to the report, Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had formally raised objections on at least 14 occasions over a ten-month period. These objections pertained to:
- Decisions concerning electoral rolls
- Voter registration processes
- The Commission's technology systems
However, the Election Commission has dismissed these claims of institutional dissent. The poll panel maintained that the queries and suggestions raised by the commissioners were part of the standard administrative and decision-making process during the draft stage. The Commission further asserted that all decisions regarding the schedule of the SIR exercise were made unanimously.
Widespread Political Mobilisation
The protests have seen a massive turnout from various political wings and youth organisations. The demonstration near Jantar Mantar involved:
- Youth Congress workers
- Members of the Students' Federation of India (SFI)
- Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI)
- Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leaders
In a notable development, AAP Delhi President Saurabh Bharadwaj was detained by the Delhi Police shortly after arriving at Jantar Mantar to join the protest. The demonstrations took place under a heavy security blanket, as police had denied permission for the march and imposed prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023.
Neha Bora, expressing her support for the participants on social media, praised the steadfastness of those standing up against the current electoral administration, describing the protesters as "heroes."