1 hr ago
Youth Congress protests intensify over Election Commission electoral roll revision
The Indian Youth Congress held protests in New Delhi and several Indian states.
They want Election Commission chief Gyanesh Kumar to resign.
The protests concern a process called the Special Intensive Revision, which checks and updates voter lists.
Congress leaders say the Election Commission has harmed people’s voting rights.
Police used water cannons in Patna and Chandigarh to disperse some protesters.
In Manipur, a confrontation led police to fire tear gas shells.
Protesters also gathered in many other states and cities.
The Election Commission says questions raised by its members were normal internal discussions, not a disagreement.
It also says all final decisions about the voter-list exercise were unanimous.
The Indian Youth Congress marched from Raisina Road to Jantar Mantar, demanding CEC Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation.
Police used water cannons against Congress protesters in Patna and Chandigarh, while tear gas was fired during a tense demonstration in Manipur.
Protests were also reported in Jammu and Kashmir, Assam, Uttarakhand, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh.
Congress leaders accused Kumar of undermining voting rights and democracy, with some protesters demanding his arrest and prosecution.
The protests followed an Indian Express report about objections raised by Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi over electoral-roll procedures; the ECI said final SIR decisions were unanimous.
- Who
- The Indian Youth Congress and Congress workers, led in different locations by party leaders, protested against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the Election Commission of India.
- What
- They demanded Kumar’s resignation, and in some places called for his arrest and prosecution, while protesting the Election Commission’s functioning and the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.
- Where
- The march went from Raisina Road to Jantar Mantar in New Delhi, with demonstrations reported in Bihar, Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir, Assam, Uttarakhand, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh and Manipur.
- When
- The main march took place on Friday; the issue is also expected to be discussed at the Congress Working Committee meeting scheduled for September 29.
- Why
- Congress said the Election Commission’s handling of the electoral-roll revision threatened voting rights and democracy; the protests followed reports of objections by two election commissioners over related procedures.
Congress and opposition protesters
Election Commission of India
Handling of electoral-roll revision
Congress and opposition protesters
Congress says the Election Commission’s handling of the Special Intensive Revision undermines voting rights and democracy, and demands Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation.
Election Commission of India
The Election Commission says internal questions and feedback about the process are normal in a multi-member constitutional body.
Internal objections
Congress and opposition protesters
The reported objections by Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi are being cited by Congress amid claims of problems within the Election Commission.
Election Commission of India
The ECI rejects describing the objections as institutional dissent and maintains that all final decisions concerning the Special Intensive Revision were unanimous.
Accountability for Gyanesh Kumar
Congress and opposition protesters
Congress leaders have demanded Kumar’s resignation, arrest and prosecution, and have indicated that opposition parties may pursue an impeachment motion.
Election Commission of India
The article reports no separate response from Kumar personally, while the ECI has defended the decision-making process.
Key facts
- Main demand
- Resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar
- Central protest
- Indian Youth Congress march from Raisina Road to Jantar Mantar, New Delhi
- Police response
- Water cannons were used in Patna and Chandigarh; tear gas was fired in Manipur
- Electoral exercise
- Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls
- Reported objections
- Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi reportedly raised objections at least 14 times over 10 months
- Election Commission position
- The ECI said the objections were operational queries, internal feedback and administrative suggestions, and that final SIR decisions were unanimous
- Possible parliamentary action
- Congress indicated that opposition parties may consider an impeachment motion against Gyanesh Kumar
Quotes
Uday Bhanu Chib
Indian Youth Congress president
“We will march forward, and we will keep marching; nobody can stop us. This Gyanesh, the country’s traitor! After committing betrayal, he thinks he will be saved—he will not be saved. His path to Tihar jail is fixed. Gyanesh, it’s done, bro! You cannot escape.”
theprint.in
“You have robbed 1.4 billion countrymen of their right to vote. We will not let you off. This struggle isn’t just Congress’s; it belongs to every citizen of this country.”
theprint.in
Sources
Related news
Congress Protests Across India, Demands Gyanesh Kumar’s Resignation
Congress Calls Nationwide Protests, Demands Gyanesh Kumar’s Removal
Punjab Congress Protests, Demands CEC Gyanesh Kumar’s Dismissal
Congress Escalates Campaign Against Election Chief Gyanesh Kumar
CJP Issues Resignation Ultimatum Over Electoral Roll Dispute
CJP Gives CEC Gyanesh Kumar 48 Hours, Threatens Protests
Delhi High Court Orders Meta Takedown of Alleged Modi Deepfake
Congress Accuses Election Commission Over ‘Mark VIP’ Voter Feature
Bengal BJP Chief Praises Gyanesh Kumar Amid Election Commission Row
Gujarat CM Honors Deendayal Upadhyaya, Joins Ahmedabad Welfare Programme
