Archive · 2 Oct 2026
INDIA Bloc Splinters Into Separate Protests on Opening Day
Opposition parties in India had planned protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
They said the Election Commission’s actions and disagreements raised serious questions.
However, the parties did not hold one shared protest on the first day.
Left parties and some AAP leaders gathered at Jantar Mantar.
Police detained some of them because they said the protest lacked permission and could cause problems.
The CJP held a separate protest at Shivaji Park in Mumbai.
Some actors, including Naseeruddin Shah and Shabana Azmi, attended that gathering.
A local resident later complained that the organizers tried to gather a crowd without permission.
The INDIA bloc had announced protests from October 2 demanding CEC Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation.
The Left parties and the CJP held separate demonstrations instead of a joint protest.
Police detained Left activists and some AAP leaders at Jantar Mantar, citing lack of permission and possible law-and-order concerns.
CJP leaders, including Abhijeet Dipke, protested at Mumbai’s Shivaji Park and criticized the Union Government.
A Shivaji Park resident and advocate filed a complaint alleging that CJP leaders sought to gather despite denied permission.
- Who
- The INDIA bloc, Left parties, AAP leaders, the CJP, and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar were central to the events.
- What
- Opposition groups began separate protests demanding Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation rather than organizing one joint demonstration.
- When
- The protests began on October 2, following the INDIA bloc’s decision on Wednesday.
- Where
- Demonstrations took place at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi and Shivaji Park in Mumbai.
- Why
- The protests followed concerns about the Election Commission’s silence, changes to the SIR process, amendments to Form 6, and reported differences among Election Commissioners.
Protest Organizers’ Claims
Authorities and Critics’ Concerns
Need for protest
Protest Organizers’ Claims
Opposition groups said concerns over the Election Commission’s actions, Form 6 changes, and reported disagreements justified demanding Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation.
Authorities and Critics’ Concerns
Some people questioned the protest’s clarity, with several young attendees reportedly unable to explain its specific demand and instead citing unemployment.
Permission and crowd gathering
Protest Organizers’ Claims
CJP leaders proceeded with a protest at Shivaji Park and addressed supporters and members of the public.
Authorities and Critics’ Concerns
Police said the Jantar Mantar protest lacked permission and could create a law-and-order problem; a Shivaji Park resident alleged CJP leaders tried to gather despite authorities denying permission.
Unity within the opposition
Protest Organizers’ Claims
The INDIA bloc agreed to launch agitations together after meeting on Wednesday.
Authorities and Critics’ Concerns
The first day showed no joint protest, as the Left parties and CJP organized separate demonstrations.
- Protest start date
- October 2
- Main demand
- The resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar
- Mumbai venue
- Shivaji Park
- Delhi venue
- Jantar Mantar
- Police action
- Some Left activists and AAP leaders were detained
- Complaint
- Siddhi Deolekar complained against CJP leaders and others over the Shivaji Park protest