2 hrs ago
Congress Protests Across India, Demands Gyanesh Kumar’s Resignation
The Congress party organized protests in many parts of India against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Protesters want him to resign, be removed, or be arrested.
They say some election decisions and voter-list changes need an independent review.
The protests followed a report about objections raised by two other election commissioners.
In several places, protesters tried to cross police barricades.
Police detained some protesters and used water cannons in Patna, Chandigarh and Haryana.
Police also used tear gas in Imphal.
The Election Commission said disagreements can happen during official discussions and that its final decisions followed the law.
Congress workers held protests across multiple Indian states demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation, removal or arrest.
Police detained protesters in Delhi and Assam, including Assam Congress chief Gaurav Gogoi, while security forces stopped marches elsewhere.
Police used water cannons in Patna, Chandigarh and Haryana, while tear gas was fired to disperse protesters in Imphal.
The demonstrations followed reports that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi repeatedly objected to decisions linked to the Special Intensive Revision process.
The Election Commission said differing views are normal during deliberations and that final SIR decisions were taken unanimously under established legal procedures.
- Who
- The Indian National Congress, its workers and leaders, the Election Commission of India, and CEC Gyanesh Kumar.
- What
- Congress held nationwide protests demanding Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation, removal or arrest, along with a review of electoral decisions and roll changes.
- Where
- Protests took place in Delhi, Assam, Bihar, Chandigarh, Haryana, Manipur, West Bengal, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Telangana and other locations.
- When
- Friday, September 25, 2026; Congress announced another district-level protest round for September 28.
- Why
- Congress cited reported objections by Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi to decisions concerning the SIR exercise and electoral rolls.
Congress and Protesters
Election Commission of India
CEC’s position
Congress and Protesters
Congress demanded Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation, removal or arrest, with Rahul Gandhi calling for accountability and warning that democracy was being harmed.
Election Commission of India
The Election Commission defended its decisions as legally sanctioned and compliant with established statutory procedures.
Reported disagreements
Congress and Protesters
Congress cited reports that Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi objected repeatedly to decisions involving the SIR process, voter forms and electoral-roll management.
Election Commission of India
The commission said differing views and observations are normal during deliberations and rejected the characterization of the reports as a split.
Electoral review
Congress and Protesters
Congress called for an independent review of electoral decisions and voter-list changes made during Kumar’s tenure.
Election Commission of India
The commission said all three commissioners and its officers are authorized to offer suggestions to improve the electoral system, and that final SIR decisions were unanimous.
Key facts
- Main demand
- Congress demanded Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation, removal or arrest.
- Protest locations
- Demonstrations were reported in several states, including Delhi, Assam, Bihar, Chandigarh, Manipur, West Bengal, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Telangana.
- Detentions
- Gaurav Gogoi and several leaders were detained in Guwahati; protesters were also detained in Delhi and other locations.
- Police response
- Police used water cannons in Patna, Chandigarh and Haryana, and tear gas in Imphal.
- Reported objections
- The Indian Express reported that Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi objected at least 14 times over 10 months to decisions linked to electoral administration.
- Election Commission response
- The commission said differing views are part of institutional deliberations and that final SIR decisions were taken unanimously.
- Next protest
- Congress announced another round of district-level protests for September 28.
Quotes
Devender Yadav
Delhi Congress president who spoke during the protest
“Gyanesh Kumar must resign immediately. We are not going to let democracy be destroyed in India and sit silent, and the people responsible for this are going to be punished.”
NDTV
Sources
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