Dhruv Rathee Storms London: Protest Demands EC Gyanesh Kumar's Exit
YouTuber Dhruv Rathee organizes a London protest demanding the resignation of Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar amid allegations of vote theft.
In a dramatic turn of events, popular YouTuber and activist Dhruv Rathee took his campaign to the streets of the United Kingdom, leading a high-voltage Dhruv Rathee London protest on Saturday, October 17, 2026. Gathering at Parliament Square, Rathee and his supporters demanded the immediate resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, sparking a heated confrontation in the heart of the British capital.
Demands for Electoral Reform
Standing near the statue of Mahatma Gandhi, Rathee addressed a crowd of supporters, making a clear and singular demand: the removal of Gyanesh Kumar. He asserted that the demonstrations would stop immediately if the government and the Leader of the Opposition could reach a consensus on a replacement candidate.
The atmosphere was charged with patriotic and revolutionary fervor, as the crowd echoed chants of 'Inquilab Zindabad' and 'Vande Mataram.' In a symbolic gesture to highlight democratic values, the protesters conducted a public reading of the Preamble to the Indian Constitution.
Allegations of 'Vote Theft'
The core of the protest centered on serious allegations regarding the integrity of the electoral process. Rathee and the organizers raised concerns over "vote theft" and electoral irregularities. Specifically, the protest highlighted issues surrounding:
- The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
- Controversial modifications made to the Form 6 registration procedures.
The event saw strong backing from several organizations, including the South Asia Solidarity Group, the Students' Federation of India (SFI) U.K., and the Indian Overseas Congress Youth Wing.
Clash of Ideologies: Counter-Protests Erupt
The demonstration did not happen in isolation. A counter-protest was organized by India Diaspora (ID) U.K., led by its founder Hirdesh Gupta. While Rathee's group called for resignations, the ID U.K. group gathered to express their unwavering support for Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The tension between the two opposing factions grew so intense that the Metropolitan Police had to intervene, stepping in to maintain a physical barrier and keep the groups separated to prevent any violent escalations.
Legal Turbulence and 'Kidnapping' Claims
Rathee's appearance in London comes amidst a whirlwind of legal battles in India. Earlier in October, he had participated in a protest organized by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), which also demanded Gyanesh Kumar's resignation. That event led to a confrontation with the Delhi Police, who detained Rathee from his residence in Gurugram—an action Rathee has since described as a "kidnapping."
Adding to his legal woes, a Delhi court issued a bailable warrant against the YouTuber on the very same day as the London protest, October 17. This warrant is linked to a criminal defamation case dating back to 2018. Rathee's legal counsel informed the court that he could not appear in person as he was currently in London.