5 hrs ago
Over 100 Detained in Chennai Protest Seeking Election Chief’s Resignation
More than 100 people were detained during a protest in Chennai on Saturday.
They wanted Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to resign.
Protesters said many people had been removed from electoral rolls and that their rights needed protection.
Police said the protest had not received permission.
The demonstration took place amid protests and police action in other parts of India.
DMK leaders M K Stalin and Udhayanidhi Stalin criticized the detentions and the Tamil Nadu government.
The ruling TVK had not yet responded to the allegations in the report.
Chennai police detained more than 100 protesters near Elliott's Beach on Saturday.
The demonstrators called for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to resign.
Protester Radhika Ganesh alleged that more than 13 crore people had been unconstitutionally removed from electoral rolls.
A senior police officer said the demonstration lacked prior permission.
DMK leaders M K Stalin and Udhayanidhi Stalin condemned the detentions and criticized the TVK government.
- Who
- More than 100 protesters, including activist Radhika Ganesh; Chennai police detained them.
- What
- A protest demanded Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar's resignation and raised concerns about alleged electoral-roll deletions.
- Where
- Near Elliott's Beach in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
- When
- Saturday; the article does not specify a date.
- Why
- Protesters said alleged deletions from electoral rolls violated people's rights.
Protesters and critics
Police and government position
Detention and protest rights
Protesters and critics
Protesters described the detention as illegal and said young people should be treated with humility and constitutionally; M K Stalin and Udhayanidhi Stalin condemned the police action.
Police and government position
A senior Chennai police officer said the protesters lacked prior permission and that police could not allow the demonstration.
Alleged electoral-roll deletions
Protesters and critics
Radhika Ganesh claimed more than 13 crore people had been unconstitutionally deleted from electoral rolls and said their rights needed protection.
Police and government position
The article gives no response from the Election Commission or the ruling TVK government to that allegation.
Key facts
- Detentions
- More than 100 protesters
- Location
- Near Elliott's Beach, Chennai
- Protest demand
- Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar's resignation
- Alleged roll deletions
- Radhika Ganesh claimed more than 13 crore people were unconstitutionally deleted from electoral rolls.
- Police explanation
- A senior Chennai police officer said protesters had not obtained prior permission.
- Political response
- M K Stalin and Udhayanidhi Stalin criticized the police action and the TVK government.
Quotes
Senior Chennai police officer
Police officer commenting on the protest
“The scenes unfolding in Delhi today, and the scale of repression being unleashed against peaceful protesters, bring back painful memories of the Emergency that I lived through.”
NDTV
“We demand that Gyanesh Kumar must resign. More than 13 crore people have been unconstitutionally deleted from electoral rolls. Their rights have to be protected.”
NDTV
Sources
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