Archive · 2 Oct 2026
Protests Demand CEC Gyanesh Kumar’s Resignation Over SIR
People in Mumbai and Delhi protested against the Election Commission.
They said there were problems with a voter-list exercise called the Special Intensive Revision, or SIR.
The protesters demanded that Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar resign or be removed.
Abhijeet Dipke said many people would join the demonstrations.
Shabana Azmi said voting is an important right protected by the Constitution.
She also said people should protest if their names disappeared from voter lists.
In Delhi, some opposition leaders were detained during the protest.
The Election Commission said its decisions about SIR were unanimous.
The protests were organized by political and youth groups.
Cockroach Janta Party leader Abhijeet Dipke addressed a Mumbai protest against the Election Commission and alleged SIR irregularities.
Dipke said large crowds would arrive from across India and that police barricades would not be enough.
Actor Shabana Azmi called voting a constitutional right and urged people to protest if their names were removed from electoral rolls.
SFI, DYFI and opposition leaders protested near Jantar Mantar in Delhi, demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s removal.
Several opposition leaders, including AAP MLA Saurabh Bhardwaj, were detained under prohibitory restrictions imposed through Section 163 of the BNSS.
- Who
- Cockroach Janta Party leader Abhijeet Dipke, actor Shabana Azmi, SFI and DYFI members, opposition leaders, and Election Commission officials.
- What
- Protests demanded the resignation or removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision exercise.
- When
- The Mumbai protest took place on Friday; the Delhi protest was also reported in the same period.
- Where
- Mumbai and near Jantar Mantar in Delhi.
- Why
- Protesters alleged irregularities in SIR and objected to the possible removal of names from electoral rolls.
Protesters and Opposition
Election Commission
SIR exercise
Protesters and Opposition
Protesters alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision and feared that eligible voters could lose their names from electoral rolls.
Election Commission
The Election Commission said decisions regarding the SIR exercise were unanimous.
Leadership accountability
Protesters and Opposition
Protesters and opposition leaders demanded that Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar resign or be removed.
Election Commission
The article reports the Election Commission’s clarification on SIR but does not provide a response specifically addressing the resignation demand.
Police action
Protesters and Opposition
Protesters criticized police conduct and the use of barricades and prohibitory restrictions.
Election Commission
Authorities imposed restrictions under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, and several opposition leaders were detained.
- Main demand
- Protesters demanded Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation or removal.
- Issue
- Alleged irregularities and objections related to the Special Intensive Revision exercise.
- Mumbai speaker
- Cockroach Janta Party leader Abhijeet Dipke.
- Mumbai address
- Actor Shabana Azmi said voting is a constitutional right.
- Delhi participants
- Students’ Federation of India, Democratic Youth Federation of India, and opposition leaders.
- Detentions
- Several opposition leaders, including Saurabh Bhardwaj, were detained under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023.
- Election Commission position
- The Election Commission said decisions regarding SIR were unanimous.