Archive · 12 Oct 2026
Paswan Backs Delhi Protest Crackdown, Accuses CJP of Anarchy
People protested in Delhi over claimed problems with changes to voter lists.
They wanted Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to resign.
Chirag Paswan said the protests were meant to cause disorder and defended the government’s response.
He also said his party does not support using force against young people.
Police detained people who tried to march toward Jantar Mantar.
One report said more than 7,000 people were detained at different places on Saturday.
Paswan had questioned restrictions on transport before the protest, but later supported the crackdown.
Prashant Kishor also called for the election chief to resign.
Paswan rejected Congress’s claims of “vote theft” and criticized the party on other issues.
Chirag Paswan said the CJP’s Delhi protests over alleged electoral-roll revision irregularities were intended to create anarchy and defended the Centre’s response.
Police detained protesters trying to reach Jantar Mantar on Sunday; one report said more than 7,000 demonstrators were detained at multiple locations on Saturday.
Paswan said his party opposes force against young people but argued police acted firmly to prevent greater disorder.
His defence reversed remarks made on Friday questioning restrictions on trains and Metro services ahead of the protest.
Prashant Kishor called for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to resign, while Paswan rejected Rahul Gandhi’s “vote theft” allegations and criticized Congress.
- Who
- Union Minister Chirag Paswan, CJP protesters, opposition parties and Jan Suraaj Party founder Prashant Kishor.
- What
- Paswan accused the CJP of seeking to create anarchy and defended the protest crackdown; Kishor called for the chief election commissioner to resign.
- When
- Paswan made the remarks on Sunday; the reports also describe remarks on Friday and protest detentions on Saturday.
- Where
- The protests took place in Delhi. Paswan spoke in Patna and at a convocation in Sonipat, Haryana.
- Why
- The protests concerned alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls and demands for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to resign.
Paswan and government response
Protesters and opposition figures
Purpose of the protests
Paswan and government response
Paswan said peaceful protest is legitimate but described the CJP demonstration as an attempt to create anarchy and said its leaders should be identified and stopped.
Protesters and opposition figures
The CJP and opposition parties said they were protesting alleged electoral-roll revision irregularities and demanding Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation.
Police restrictions and crackdown
Paswan and government response
Paswan said police took a tough stance to prevent greater disorder, while saying his party does not support force against young people.
Protesters and opposition figures
Protesters sought to reach Jantar Mantar amid security restrictions and detentions. On Friday, Paswan had questioned transport restrictions, saying young people could not be stopped.
Election Commission and vote-theft claims
Paswan and government response
Paswan rejected Rahul Gandhi’s “vote theft” allegations and said Congress was frustrated by electoral defeats.
Protesters and opposition figures
Kishor said the Election Commission’s credibility had declined and demanded Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation; opposition parties also raised concerns about the electoral-roll revision.
- Protest issue
- Alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls
- Protest location
- Delhi, including routes toward Jantar Mantar
- Saturday detentions
- One report said more than 7,000 demonstrators were detained at multiple locations.
- Sunday detentions
- Several protesters were detained while marching toward Jantar Mantar from Connaught Place and Rajiv Chowk.
- Paswan’s position
- Union minister and Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) chief
- Kishor’s demand
- He called for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to resign and questioned the Election Commission’s credibility.
- Akoijam
- Jawaharlal Nehru University dismissed Congress MP and professor Angomcha Bimol Akoijam after sexual-harassment complaints; he called the dismissal a witch hunt.
Sources
CJP protests attempt to create anarchy in India: Chirag Paswan
Chirag Paswan backs Delhi protest crackdown after reversing criticism of police curbs - Telegraph India
