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Opposition Parties Condemn Crackdown on Delhi Protesters
People gathered in Delhi to protest how elections are being managed.
They wanted the chief election commissioner to resign and called for changes to election rules.
Police stopped some protesters and detained several people, including political leaders.
Opposition leaders said the police action was unfair and hurt people’s right to protest.
Some party leaders said the arrests made them worry about democracy.
Congress and Left parties in Odisha plan to hold a rally on Monday.
The Biju Janata Dal said it would make its own plans.
Congress workers also held protests in Jharkhand.
The article does not include a response from the central government or Delhi Police.
Protesters in Delhi called for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation, an end to the SIR, and electoral reforms.
Police detained Cockroach Janta Party founder Abhijeet Dipke and other protesters and opposition leaders as demonstrators sought to march to Jantar Mantar.
Leaders from the Trinamool Congress, CPM, Congress, Left parties, and Sikkim Democratic Front criticized the police action.
Congress and Left parties in Odisha plan a Bhubaneswar rally on Monday; the Biju Janata Dal said it would decide on its own response.
Congress workers in Jharkhand held demonstrations demanding Kumar’s resignation over alleged voter-list manipulation.
- Who
- Protesters and leaders from opposition parties, including the Cockroach Janta Party, Trinamool Congress, CPM, Congress, Left parties, Biju Janata Dal, and Sikkim Democratic Front.
- What
- Protesters demanded Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation, the scrapping of the SIR, and electoral reforms; police detained protesters and political leaders.
- Where
- New Delhi, with related demonstrations and planned protests in Odisha, Jharkhand, and other states.
- When
- Saturday; Congress and Left parties in Odisha planned a rally for Monday at 11am.
- Why
- Protesters cited concerns about electoral processes, voter-list manipulation, and the Election Commission’s credibility.
Key facts
- Main protest location
- New Delhi; protesters sought to march toward Jantar Mantar.
- Main demand
- Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation.
- Other demands
- Scrapping the SIR and the 2023 Act concerning the CEC’s selection and immunity, and pursuing electoral reforms.
- Odisha action
- Congress and Left parties planned a Bhubaneswar rally for Monday at 11am; the BJD said it would make separate plans.
- Jharkhand action
- Congress workers observed a Black Day and held demonstrations in Ranchi and district headquarters.
- Detention details
- Mamata Banerjee and other Trinamool leaders were released around 6.45pm; CPM leaders detained after being taken to Burari were released around 5.30pm.
Quotes
Suresh Chandra Panigrahy
CPI state secretary
“People from different parts of the country had assembled in Delhi to peacefully protest, demanding the resignation of Gyanesh Kumar, the scrapping of the SIR and comprehensive electoral reforms. But the police, at the behest of the Centre, tried to suppress the activists. An undeclared Emergency-like situation has been created in Delhi to suppress a democratic protest. But police repression failed to break the determination of those who have taken to the streets to defend their right to express ”
telegraphindia.com
“The entire nation is shocked and questioning why the government is acting in such a manner. Whether in Delhi or Bhubaneswar, we can’t understand why the government is taking pre-emptive action against Gen Z protesters.”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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