Archive · 4 Oct 2026
Around 150 Detained as Protesters Seek Jantar Mantar Rally
For two days, people in Delhi tried to protest against the head of India’s Election Commission.
They want Gyanesh Kumar to resign and are worried about changes to voter lists.
On Saturday, about 150 people, including activists and lawyer Prashant Bhushan, were detained while trying to reach Jantar Mantar.
Nearly 700 people had been detained during Friday’s protest and were reportedly released later that day.
Police said the demonstrations did not have permission and restrictions on gatherings were in force.
Rahul Gandhi alleged that women protesters had faced misconduct by police.
The Election Commission said questions raised while draft decisions are being prepared are a normal part of its work.
It said these questions help protect voters’ rights.
Around 150 people, including Neha Bora, Yogendra Yadav and Prashant Bhushan, were detained on Saturday as demonstrators tried to reach Jantar Mantar.
Protesters called for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to resign and raised concerns about the Election Commission’s voter-roll revision.
The demonstration was the second consecutive day of protests; nearly 700 people detained on Friday were reportedly released later that day.
Police said demonstrations had not been permitted and restrictions on gatherings of five or more people remained in force in New Delhi district.
Rahul Gandhi alleged misconduct with women protesters; the Election Commission said draft-stage queries are standard practice intended to safeguard voter rights.
- Who
- Protesters, including Neha Bora, Yogendra Yadav and Prashant Bhushan; they called for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to resign.
- What
- Demonstrators protesting the Election Commission’s functioning and voter-roll revision were stopped from reaching Jantar Mantar, and around 150 were detained.
- When
- Saturday, the second consecutive day of demonstrations.
- Where
- Jantar Mantar and surrounding areas in New Delhi.
- Why
- Protesters raised concerns about the special intensive revision of electoral rolls and the Election Commission’s decisions.
Protesters and critics
Election Commission response
Voter-roll revision
Protesters and critics
Protesters raised concerns about the special intensive revision’s implementation and its possible effects on genuine voters and election outcomes.
Election Commission response
The Election Commission said draft-stage queries or inputs are standard administrative practice intended to safeguard voter rights.
Reported objections within the Commission
Protesters and critics
An Indian Express investigation reported that Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi objected 14 times in 10 months to decisions related to the revision, including some they said were made without their knowledge.
Election Commission response
The Election Commission described operational queries during draft stages as normal practice. Gyanesh Kumar had not commented on the investigation at the time of the report.
- Saturday detentions
- Around 150 people were detained, including Neha Bora, Yogendra Yadav and Prashant Bhushan.
- Protest demand
- Demonstrators called for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to resign.
- Protest duration
- The demonstrations took place for a second consecutive day.
- Friday detentions
- Nearly 700 people were detained on Friday and reportedly released later that day.
- Police position
- Police said no demonstration permission had been granted and restrictions on gatherings of five or more people remained in force in New Delhi district.
- Reported objections
- An Indian Express investigation reported that election commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had formally objected 14 times in 10 months to poll-panel decisions related to the revision.
- Election Commission response
- The Commission said operational queries or inputs raised during draft stages are standard administrative practice intended to safeguard voter rights.
- Rahul Gandhi's response
- Gandhi alleged misconduct with women protesters during Saturday’s demonstration, referring to a female journalist’s allegation against a police officer.
