"Gyanesh Kumar is a traitor": Massive Protests Hit Mumbai and Delhi
Activists stage massive protests in Mumbai and Delhi against CEC Gyanesh Kumar over alleged election irregularities.
In a high-voltage political standoff, activists from the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) and various civil society organizations have taken to the streets in Mumbai and Delhi to demand the immediate resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar. The demonstrations, centered at Mumbai's Shivaji Park and near Delhi's Jantar Mantar, were sparked by allegations of irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process.
Mumbai Streets Erupt in Protest
At Mumbai’s iconic Shivaji Park, a massive gathering of protesters faced off against heavy police deployment. The atmosphere was charged as CJP spokesperson Saurav Das issued a scathing condemnation of the CEC, labeling him a "traitor to the country."
Addressing the crowd, Das emphasized that the movement was gaining momentum nationwide. "As you can see, we are starting from Mumbai today. This is going to be a very big protest," Das stated. He invoked the memory of previous mass movements, claiming that the youth of India are mobilizing once again to demand accountability from the Election Commission.
Local Residents Raise Concerns
The protests have not been without friction from the local community. Residents living near Shivaji Park expressed significant frustration over the disruption caused by frequent demonstrations. Sunil Bhagwat, a local resident, questioned the impact on daily life, noting that the park is a vital space for morning and evening walks.
"Who is responsible for the troubles being caused to the common people?" Bhagwat asked, questioning whether the protesters' duties toward the public were being overlooked. Another resident, Ravindra, recounted chaotic scenes from a previous protest, alleging that crowds had spilled into the Dadar Shivaji Park station and that bottles of liquor had been thrown at passersby.
Residents also highlighted the logistical nightmare caused by these gatherings, noting that the proximity of schools and hospitals makes the area sensitive. "Cars couldn't pass through; around 5:00 PM, school was getting over and the school kids were stuck in their vehicles," Ravindra remarked, questioning the legality of the gatherings despite prohibitory restrictions.
Delhi Demonstrations and Legal Tensions
Simultaneously, the agitation spread to the national capital. In Delhi, members of the Students' Federation of India (SFI) and the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) gathered near Jantar Mantar to voice their grievances against the Election Commission.
The Delhi protest took place under a cloud of legal tension. Despite the Delhi Police denying permission and imposing prohibitory restrictions under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, thousands of student leaders arrived from across the country to join the cause.
CPI(M) Demands Arrest of CEC
The protest received significant backing from the CPI(M). General Secretary MA Baby, joining the demonstration, leveled heavy accusations against the Chief Election Commissioner regarding the SIR exercise.
"Gyanesh Kumar should be arrested for the criminal activity of cutting people's votes," Baby told reporters. He alleged that the CEC had violated fundamental rules governing the functioning of the Election Commission and called for his total removal from office.
As security remains tightened in central Delhi and police presence remains heavy in Mumbai, the nation watches to see how the Election Commission will respond to these unprecedented accusations of electoral irregularity.