Archive · 5 Oct 2026
AISA Protesters Detained During Third-Day March Toward Jantar Mantar
People in Delhi marched for the third day in a row to ask the chief election official to resign.
They were concerned about how voter lists were being changed.
The march started near Andhra Bhawan and moved toward Jantar Mantar.
Police had set up barricades and stopped people from going through.
Police sources said about 250 people were detained, including protest leader Neha Bora, who was later released.
Some protesters said officers treated them roughly.
The reports also say that many people had been detained during protests on Friday and Saturday.
The Election Commission says different opinions are normal and that final decisions about the SIR schedule were unanimous.
AISA and other protesters marched in New Delhi on Sunday for a third consecutive day, demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation.
The march began near Andhra Bhawan on Ashoka Road and headed toward Jantar Mantar, where heavy police deployment and barricades blocked access.
Police sources said around 250 people, including AISA, AAP and Indian Youth Congress members and activist Yogendra Yadav, were detained; Neha Bora was released in the evening.
Protesters cited alleged irregularities in the Election Commission’s conduct and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter rolls, including alleged mass voter deletions.
The reports say more than 150 people were detained on Saturday and more than 500 on Friday; a protester alleged police manhandling, while the articles provide no police response to that allegation.
- Who
- AISA protesters, including president Neha Bora, along with AAP and Indian Youth Congress members and activist Yogendra Yadav; Delhi Police.
- What
- A third-day march demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation ended in police detentions as protesters tried to approach Jantar Mantar.
- When
- Sunday; the reports do not specify a calendar date.
- Where
- Central New Delhi, from near Andhra Bhawan on Ashoka Road toward Jantar Mantar.
- Why
- Protesters object to alleged irregularities in the Election Commission’s functioning and the SIR of voter rolls.
Protesters’ allegations
Election Commission’s response
Electoral-roll revision
Protesters’ allegations
Protesters allege irregularities in the Election Commission’s functioning and the SIR process, including mass voter deletions, and demand the CEC’s resignation.
Election Commission’s response
The Election Commission says administrative queries and differing views are normal, its orders follow statutory procedures, and final decisions on the SIR schedule were unanimous.
Police handling
Protesters’ allegations
A protester alleged that officers dragged and manhandled demonstrators and that women were injured; AAP leader Saurabh Bhardwaj separately alleged rough treatment during his detention.
Election Commission’s response
The reports describe police stopping and detaining demonstrators but do not provide a police response to the allegations of mistreatment.
- Organiser
- All India Students’ Association (AISA)
- Main demand
- Resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar
- March route
- Near Andhra Bhawan on Ashoka Road toward Jantar Mantar
- Sunday detentions
- Around 250, according to police sources
- Neha Bora
- AISA president detained and later released, according to police
- Earlier detentions
- More than 150 on Saturday and more than 500 on Friday, according to the reports
- Election Commission position
- It said differing views and administrative inputs are normal and final decisions on the SIR schedule were unanimous.
Sources
AISA activists attempt return to Jantar Mantar amid heavy barricading
AISA chief attempts to breach Jantar Mantar barricades
Jantar Mantar Protest: AISA President Neha Bora Detained During Agitation Demanding CEC Gyanesh Kumar's Resignation
