Kanchipuram Chaos: Police Detain Protesters Demanding CEC's Arrest
Tension erupted in Kanchipuram as protesters staged a rail roko demanding the arrest of CEC Gyanesh Kumar over alleged voter disqualification.
Tensions flared in Kanchipuram on Wednesday as members of the Jananayaka Meetpu Kuzhu launched a rail roko protesters action, demanding the immediate arrest of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar. The demonstration, which saw hundreds of activists clash with security forces, brought a wave of unrest to the vicinity of the old railway station.
Clashes and Blockades
The unrest began when more than 350 protesters organized a rally, marching from the area near Hotel Tamil Nadu toward the East Railway Station. As the crowd advanced, a scuffle broke out between the demonstrators and the police, who had set up barricades to prevent the march from reaching the tracks.
Despite the security presence, more than 50 protesters managed to defy the police cordons and occupy the railway tracks. While sitting on the rails, the agitators raised slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Election Commission, reiterating their demand for the CEC's arrest.
The Allegations Against the CEC
The core of the protest lies in serious allegations leveled against CEC Gyanesh Kumar. The protesters claimed that the Chief Election Commissioner acted in favor of Prime Minister Narendra Modi by overseeing the disqualification of 13 crore voters.
The agitation saw participation from a diverse group of political and social entities, including:
- Members of Makkal Mandram
- Communist Party of India (CPI)
- Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK)
- Independent social activists
Police Response and Detentions
To manage the escalating situation, heavy contingents of the local police and the Railway Protection Force (RPF) were deployed. After the confrontation on the tracks, police moved in to clear the area, detaining all the protesters. Those apprehended were subsequently housed in a private marriage hall to maintain order in the city.
Political Backdrop: The DMK's Stance
This protest follows a broader political movement in Tamil Nadu. On October 17, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) Parliamentary Party, led by party president and former Chief Minister MK Stalin, adopted a resolution calling for the immediate removal of CEC Gyanesh Kumar.
The DMK has accused the CEC of spearheading a "systematic disenfranchisement" of legitimate voters through the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise. During a meeting at the Murasoli Maran Meeting Hall in Anna Arivalayam, the party resolved to petition the President of India for two major electoral reforms:
- Scrapping the SIR: The party demands the complete cancellation of the Special Intensive Revision and insists that all future elections be conducted using pre-SIR electoral rolls.
- Return to Paper Ballots: The DMK is calling for the discontinuation of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) in favor of the traditional paper ballot system to restore public confidence in the democratic process.