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Left Groups Protest in Delhi, Demand Election Chief’s Resignation
Left student groups and other organisations held a protest in New Delhi.
They wanted Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to resign or be removed.
The protesters said the Election Commission was wrongly changing voter lists.
One leader alleged that nearly 13 crore voters had been deleted illegally.
They also demanded that the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls stop.
Police said a large gathering was not allowed in the Jantar Mantar area without permission.
Several protesters were detained after police denied permission for the demonstration.
Opposition groups said they would continue protesting and defending what they described as the right to vote.
Left student unions and other organisations protested in New Delhi, demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation.
Protesters objected to the Election Commission’s ongoing Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.
CPI-M leaders alleged that nearly 13 crore voters had been illegally deleted under Kumar’s leadership.
Delhi Police denied permission for the demonstration and detained several protesters after imposing prohibitory orders near Jantar Mantar.
The INDIA bloc announced further demonstrations, including a march on October 6 and a rally on November 1.
- Who
- Left student unions, CPI-M-linked organisations, civil society groups, and other activists protested; Delhi Police detained several participants.
- What
- They demanded the resignation or removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and an end to the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls.
- Where
- New Delhi, including the area around Jantar Mantar.
- When
- The protest took place on Friday; further INDIA bloc actions were announced for October 6 and November 1.
- Why
- Protesters alleged that the Election Commission had violated rules, undermined voting rights, and illegally deleted voters from electoral rolls.
Protesters and Opposition Groups
Delhi Police and Election Authorities
Right to protest
Protesters and Opposition Groups
Protest leaders said peaceful demonstrations are a constitutional right and that permission should not be required to defend democracy.
Delhi Police and Election Authorities
Delhi Police imposed restrictions prohibiting gatherings, demonstrations, slogans, and speeches of five or more people without prior written permission.
Electoral-roll revision
Protesters and Opposition Groups
Protesters alleged that the Special Intensive Revision undermined voting rights and demanded that it be stopped.
Delhi Police and Election Authorities
The article reports the police restrictions and protest detentions but does not provide the Election Commission’s response to these allegations.
Gyanesh Kumar’s position
Protesters and Opposition Groups
CPI-M and other groups demanded that Gyanesh Kumar resign or be removed, alleging violations of Election Commission rules.
Delhi Police and Election Authorities
The article does not state Gyanesh Kumar’s response or position on the resignation demand.
Key facts
- Main demand
- Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation or removal as Chief Election Commissioner
- Protest participants
- Left student unions, youth activists, civil society groups, and other organisations
- Contested process
- Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls
- Alleged voter deletions
- Nearly 13 crore voters, according to CPI-M leader Brinda Karat
- Police action
- Permission was denied and several protesters were detained
- Restrictions
- Delhi Police imposed prohibitory orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023
- Planned actions
- An INDIA bloc march on October 6 and rally on November 1 were announced
Quotes
Brinda Karat
CPI-M leader
“I think this would be the biggest mobilisation in Delhi today. They are going to strongly register their demand that Gyanesh Kumar, who has been nakedly violating all existing rules of the functioning of the Election Commission, should be removed.”
thehansindia.com
“We will not surrender to authoritarianism. We will not turn back and will continue our fight to safeguard the Indian Constitution, because that is our duty. Peaceful protests are our right; how can they prevent us?”
thehansindia.com
Sources
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