INDIA Bloc to Storm Ramlila Maidan Demanding CEC Gyanesh Kumar's Resignation
The INDIA bloc will hold a massive rally at Ramlila Maidan on Nov 1 to demand the resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar over electoral roll deletions.
The political temperature in the capital is set to soar as the Congress party and the INDIA bloc prepare for a massive protest rally on November 1. The demonstration, scheduled to take place at the iconic Ramlila Maidan, centers on a singular, high-stakes demand: the immediate resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar.
A United Front Against the ECI
Congress MP Jebi Mather confirmed the plans on Saturday, stating that the decision to mobilize was a collective agreement among all constituents of the INDIA bloc. Addressing the media via ANI, Mather brushed aside rumors of internal friction within the opposition alliance, insisting that the bloc stands firmly united in its opposition to the current functioning of the Election Commission of India (ECI).
The Core Dispute: Special Intensive Revision (SIR)
The catalyst for this escalation is the nationwide backlash against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. The opposition and various civil society groups have raised alarms over the SIR process, alleging a systemic failure that has led to the deletion of approximately 130 million names from the voter lists.
Critics argue that these deletions have not been random but have disproportionately targeted specific demographics, including:
- Marginalized communities
- Women
- Muslim populations
This sentiment was echoed during a previous demonstration on October 23 in Central Delhi, where around 500 protesters from over 200 organizations—comprising farmers, students, and civil society members—marched under the banner 'People Against SIR'.
ECI's Response and Legal Battles
While the ECI has remained silent on the specific calls for CEC Gyanesh Kumar to step down, it has taken some corrective steps. The commission has announced a Special Summary Revision (SSR) across 17 States and Union Territories. Unlike the controversial SIR, this new SSR aims to update electoral rolls without the stringent and restrictive documentation requirements that sparked the initial outcry.
The battle has also moved beyond the streets and into the halls of power and law:
- Legislative Action: On October 23, the Punjab Assembly passed a unanimous resolution demanding an independent inquiry into electoral irregularities.
- Judicial Review: Legal challenges regarding the SIR process are currently pending before the Supreme Court.
Festive Friction and Logistical Hurdles
Despite the political momentum, the planned rally faces pushback from the business community. The Chamber of Trade and Industry (CTI) has reached out to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, requesting a postponement of the November 1 gathering. The CTI argues that a massive protest in the heart of the city during the peak festive trading season could cause significant disruptions to commerce and trade.