Archive · 11 Oct 2026
Editorial Condemns Delhi Crackdown, Urges Election Commission Reforms
A group called the Cockroach Janta Party and other organisations planned a protest in Delhi.
They wanted Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to resign over alleged wrongdoing.
The editorial says police detained many people before they reached the protest site and used too much force.
It also reports that transport services were disrupted and parts of Delhi experienced an internet blackout.
The editorial argues that people have a right to protest peacefully, although that right has limits.
It says changing the election chief alone may not fix the deeper problem.
Instead, it calls for a fairer way to choose election commissioners.
It also wants voters removed unfairly from electoral rolls to be restored.
The editorial says Delhi Police used disproportionate force to prevent a protest demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation over alleged improprieties.
It reports that thousands were detained, including opposition members, students, journalists, lawyers and protest organisers.
The editorial says transport disruptions and an internet blackout accompanied the security operation, despite a Supreme Court direction not to disrupt public transport.
It argues that the Election Commission’s selection process should be impartial and that the Chief Justice of India should return to the selection panel.
It also calls for review of the CEC’s legal protections and expedited restoration of voters allegedly removed unfairly during the Special Intensive Revision.
- Who
- Delhi Police, protest organisers and participants, including opposition members, students, journalists and lawyers.
- What
- Police action to prevent a protest calling for Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation, and an editorial’s call for election-related reforms.
- When
- Saturday; the article does not specify a date.
- Where
- Delhi, India.
- Why
- The protest was called over alleged improprieties by the Chief Election Commissioner.
- Protest demand
- Resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged improprieties.
- Police action
- The editorial reports that thousands were detained before reaching the protest site.
- Affected groups
- Detainees reportedly included protest organisers, opposition members, students, journalists, YouTubers and lawyers.
- Reported disruptions
- The editorial cites closed Metro stations, cancelled long-distance trains and an internet blackout in Lutyens’ Delhi.
- Selection panel described
- The article says the panel comprises the prime minister, the leader of the Opposition and a cabinet minister.
- Proposed selection reform
- The editorial argues that the Chief Justice of India should be restored to the selection panel.
- Voter-roll issue
- The editorial calls for expedited restoration of names allegedly removed unfairly through the Special Intensive Revision process.