Vote Bachao, Desh Bachao: Opposition Storms Ramlila Maidan Demanding CEC's Exit
Thousands join the INDIA bloc's Chalo Delhi march at Ramlila Maidan, demanding CEC Gyanesh Kumar's resignation over EVM and electoral roll concerns.
New Delhi witnessed a surge of political unrest on Sunday as thousands of protesters from across North India descended upon Ramlila Maidan. Organized by the opposition INDIA bloc under the banner of the 'Chalo Delhi' march, the massive gathering was fueled by a single, piercing demand: the immediate resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar.
The atmosphere was electric, with demonstrators chanting "Vote chor, gaddi chhod" (Vote thief, leave the throne). The protesters have raised serious allegations regarding irregularities in the electoral process, specifically targeting the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and the continued reliance on Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).
Roadblocks and Resistance: The Struggle to Reach Delhi
The journey to the capital was not seamless for all. Protesters arriving from Punjab reported significant hurdles, alleging that police forces deliberately blocked transit routes along the Punjab-Haryana border to stifle the movement.
Baljinder Singh, a protester who traveled from Firozpur, described a scene of chaos on the highway. He claimed that thousands of vehicles were stranded overnight due to extensive barricading on the Punjab-Haryana corridor. While he estimated that over 10 lakh people were mobilized for the rally, he noted that many were still stuck in Haryana, unable to reach the venue by the intended time on Saturday night.
"The BJP is scared of Rahul Gandhi and the INDIA bloc. It has no option other than to make Gyanesh Kumar resign," Singh asserted, highlighting the perceived fear within the ruling party.
The Battle Against EVMs and 'Vote Theft'
A central theme of the protest was the distrust of digital voting. Many participants traveled hundreds of kilometers to voice their opposition to EVMs, calling for a complete return to traditional ballot papers to ensure transparency and trust in the democratic process.
Panna Lal Sharma, who joined the march from Rajasthan, stated that his presence was a stand against "vote chori" (vote theft). He emphasized that the only way to stop irregularities is to discard EVMs in favor of paper ballots.
Echoing these sentiments, Madanpal Singh, the Uttarakhand Congress Secretary, accused the Election Commission of India (ECI) of failing to protect democratic institutions. He claimed that democracy was being "killed" through EVM-based polling and vowed that the movement would persist until the CEC stepped down.
Broadening the Agenda: Youth and Governance
While the primary focus remained on the Election Commission, the protest also became a platform for other systemic grievances. Protesters from Himachal Pradesh, who gathered at Himachal Bhawan before marching to Ramlila Maidan, brought forward a wider array of concerns.
- Paper Leaks: Protester Gulab Singh highlighted the injustices faced by students, alleging that examination papers were being leaked.
- Civic Rights: Demonstrators raised alarms over the erosion of youth opportunities and general governance failures.
- Democratic Rights: Gaurav Sharma from Himachal Pradesh argued that the Central government had interfered with the fundamental rights of the people.
Sharma posed a poignant question to the crowd: "If our votes are not safe, then how can the country be safe?" He stressed that the gathering was not just a political rally, but a mission to save India and protect its future.