Archive · 10 Oct 2026
Opposition Leaders Detained During Protest Demanding CEC’s Resignation
Opposition leaders and other protesters planned a march in Delhi.
They wanted Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to resign.
They raised concerns about how electoral rolls were being revised.
Police had not given permission for the protest.
Police detained many people, including several former chief ministers and party leaders.
Some protesters and leaders said the restrictions were meant to silence them.
One report said nearly 5,000 people were detained across Delhi.
The articles do not include a response from Kumar or the Election Commission.
Opposition leaders and protesters planned a march at Jantar Mantar demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation.
Mamata Banerjee, Arvind Kejriwal, Pinarayi Vijayan and Manik Sarkar were among the former chief ministers reported detained.
Other detainees included Communist Party of India (Marxist) leaders and organisers Abhijeet Dipke, Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka.
Police had denied permission for the protest; restrictions reported included closing 45 metro stations and suspending mobile internet in central Delhi.
One article, citing The Hindu, reported that nearly 5,000 protesters were detained across the capital.
- Who
- Opposition politicians, protest organisers, student groups and other demonstrators; those detained included Mamata Banerjee, Arvind Kejriwal, Pinarayi Vijayan and Manik Sarkar.
- What
- Police detained protesters who sought to demonstrate for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation.
- When
- Saturday, October 10, 2026.
- Where
- New Delhi, including areas near Jantar Mantar, Connaught Place and leaders’ residences.
- Why
- Organisers and opposition leaders said they were protesting concerns about the Election Commission and its handling of the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.
Opposition and Protesters
Police and Authorities
Detentions and restrictions
Opposition and Protesters
Opposition leaders and organisers said detentions and restrictions were intended to suppress the protest and the issue of alleged electoral irregularities.
Police and Authorities
Police denied permission for the protest and detained people across Delhi; the articles do not provide a detailed police explanation for the measures.
Election Commission and electoral rolls
Opposition and Protesters
Protesters called for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to resign, citing concerns about the Election Commission and its handling of the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.
Police and Authorities
The articles report the protesters’ allegations but do not include a response from Kumar or the Election Commission.
- Date
- Saturday, October 10, 2026
- Protest location
- Jantar Mantar, New Delhi
- Main demand
- Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation as Chief Election Commissioner
- Organisers
- Cockroach Janta Party campaign and student groups affiliated with Left parties
- Detentions
- Nearly 5,000 protesters were detained across Delhi, according to The Hindu as cited in one article.
- Police position
- Police had denied permission for the protest.
- Reported restrictions
- The measures reported included closing 45 metro stations and suspending mobile internet in central Delhi.
