1 hr ago
Protests Against Election Chief Planned Amid Delhi, Mumbai Restrictions
A youth protest group called the Cockroach Janta Party plans to demonstrate in Mumbai.
Several opposition and student groups also planned a protest at Jantar Mantar in Delhi.
They want Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to resign.
Police in both cities said the protests did not have permission.
Delhi authorities restricted large gatherings and blocked some activities near Jantar Mantar.
Several nearby Metro stations also closed their entrances and exits.
The protesters are unhappy about decisions connected to checking and revising voter lists.
The Election Commission says its three members made those decisions together and unanimously.
The Cockroach Janta Party plans a Mumbai protest demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation.
The Aam Aadmi Party, AISA, NSUI and Indian Youth Congress announced a separate protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar.
Police denied permission for the protests and imposed prohibitory orders in New Delhi under Section 163 of the BNSS.
Eleven Delhi Metro stations, including Rajiv Chowk and Central Secretariat, have closed entry and exit until further notice.
The protesters cite disputes over electoral-roll revision decisions and objections reportedly recorded by two election commissioners.
- Who
- The Cockroach Janta Party, the Aam Aadmi Party, AISA, NSUI, the Indian Youth Congress, police and the Election Commission are involved.
- What
- Protests were planned to demand Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation over controversies surrounding the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.
- Where
- The CJP planned to protest at Mumbai’s Shivaji Park, while other groups planned a protest at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar.
- When
- The protests were planned for today; the CJP also warned of nationwide demonstrations and a Jantar Mantar protest from October end if Kumar did not resign.
- Why
- Protesters cite concerns about electoral-roll revision decisions and reported objections by Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi; the Election Commission says decisions were unanimous.
Protesters and Opposition Groups
Election Commission and Authorities
Demand for resignation
Protesters and Opposition Groups
The Cockroach Janta Party says Gyanesh Kumar should resign and face criminal charges, citing concerns about electoral-roll revision and election integrity.
Election Commission and Authorities
The Election Commission has not indicated that Kumar should resign and says the commission’s decisions were taken unanimously.
Commissioners’ objections
Protesters and Opposition Groups
Protesters point to reports that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi objected on at least 14 occasions over 10 months to certain decisions and orders.
Election Commission and Authorities
The Election Commission later clarified that all three commissioners made decisions, including those concerning the Special Intensive Revision, unanimously.
Public demonstrations
Protesters and Opposition Groups
The CJP says it will protest independently and may launch demonstrations across the country, despite being denied police permission.
Election Commission and Authorities
Police in Delhi and Mumbai denied permission, while Delhi authorities imposed restrictions to maintain public safety, public order and smooth traffic movement.
Key facts
- Main demand
- The Cockroach Janta Party is demanding Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation and said he should face criminal charges.
- Mumbai venue
- Shivaji Park
- Delhi venue
- Jantar Mantar
- Delhi restrictions
- New Delhi police imposed prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita.
- Metro closures
- Entry and exit were closed at 11 Delhi Metro stations until further notice.
- Protest groups in Delhi
- Aam Aadmi Party, All India Students’ Association, National Students’ Union of India and Indian Youth Congress
- Election Commission position
- The Election Commission said its three-member commission made all decisions, including those concerning the SIR, unanimously.
Quotes
Abhijeet Dipke
Founder of the Cockroach Janta Party
“But I really appreciate the efforts of the INDIA alliance. Every Indian must speak about election rigging and INDIA alliance should do it as well”
NDTV
“I am not afraid of going to jail. I will come back to protest again, again and again”
NDTV
Sources
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