Archive · 2 Oct 2026
Protests Spread Across India Over CEC Gyanesh Kumar
Opposition parties and youth groups held protests in several Indian cities on October 2.
They want Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to resign.
The protesters say the Special Intensive Revision may have removed many eligible voters from electoral rolls.
Some reports said about 13 crore names were excluded, although the articles present this as an allegation by protesters.
More than 700 people were detained in Delhi after police refused permission for the Jantar Mantar gathering.
Former Delhi Chief Minister Atishi and several opposition leaders were among those detained.
Thousands of people also protested in Mumbai at Shivaji Park.
The Election Commission said its three members agreed unanimously on decisions about the revision.
Opposition parties plan more demonstrations and a Delhi rally in the coming weeks.
More than 700 protesters, including former Delhi Chief Minister Atishi, were detained during demonstrations near Jantar Mantar on October 2, 2026.
Opposition parties and student groups demanded Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.
Thousands of Cockroach Janata Party supporters gathered at Mumbai’s Shivaji Park despite police denying permission for the protest.
Protests or related actions were also reported in Rajasthan, Jammu and Kashmir, Gujarat, and other parts of India.
The Election Commission said its three members made decisions on the SIR unanimously, while opposition groups alleged mass voter deletions and sought greater transparency.
- Who
- The Cockroach Janata Party, INDIA bloc parties, AAP, Congress and Left groups, student organizations, civil society activists and other opposition supporters.
- What
- Protests demanding Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation and opposing alleged voter deletions and irregularities connected with the Special Intensive Revision.
- When
- October 2, 2026, with further INDIA bloc demonstrations planned from October 2 to 8, a march on October 6 and a rally on November 1.
- Where
- Delhi, Mumbai, Rajasthan, Jammu and Kashmir, Gujarat and other parts of India; major sites included Jantar Mantar and Shivaji Park.
- Why
- Protesters allege that the Election Commission mishandled electoral-roll revisions and threatened voting rights, while the Commission says its decisions were unanimous and lawful.
Opposition protesters
Election Commission and government supporters
Special Intensive Revision
Opposition protesters
Opposition parties and civil society groups allege that the revision caused mass exclusion of voters, harmed voting rights and lacked adequate transparency.
Election Commission and government supporters
The Election Commission says decisions on the SIR were taken unanimously by its three members and denies wrongdoing in the process.
Election Commission decision-making
Opposition protesters
Protesters cite reports that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi objected to at least 14 decisions or orders over 10 months, some allegedly issued without their knowledge.
Election Commission and government supporters
The Election Commission said all decisions, including those related to the SIR, were taken unanimously and said differing views among commissioners can occur normally.
Public demonstrations
Opposition protesters
Opposition groups say protesting is a democratic right and want public accountability, including Kumar’s resignation, criminal proceedings and stronger safeguards for electoral rolls.
Election Commission and government supporters
Delhi Police denied permission for the Jantar Mantar gathering and imposed restrictions, citing security and public-safety concerns; Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis called the allegations a false narrative.
- Delhi detentions
- More than 700 protesters were detained from Jantar Mantar and nearby areas, according to police and news reports.
- Main demand
- Protesters demanded the resignation or removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
- Contested issue
- Opposition groups alleged that the SIR excluded or deleted around 13 crore voters from electoral rolls.
- Delhi police action
- Police denied permission for the Jantar Mantar gathering, imposed prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the BNSS and deployed large numbers of personnel.
- Mumbai protest
- Thousands of Cockroach Janata Party supporters gathered at Shivaji Park despite the lack of police permission.
- Election Commission position
- The Commission said its three members took decisions concerning the SIR unanimously; reports also said it described differing views among commissioners as normal.
- Further protest plans
- The INDIA bloc announced district-level demonstrations from October 2 to 8, a march to the Election Commission on October 6 and a Delhi rally on November 1.
Sources
Anti-CEC protests erupt across country over SIR, hundreds detained in Delhi
700 Detained As Delhi, Mumbai See Big Protests Against Gyanesh Kumar
Protests erupt in Delhi and Mumbai against EC, Gyanesh Kumar; Atishi among 700 detained
