Archive · 8 Oct 2026
Opposition Protests Against Election Chief, Lawmakers Detained
Opposition politicians in New Delhi protested for two days about changes to voter lists.
They want election chief Gyanesh Kumar to resign.
They say the changes may be unfair and could affect people’s right to vote.
The BJP and the Election Commission deny doing anything wrong.
Police stopped the protesters from reaching their planned locations and detained several lawmakers, including Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.
Reports say those detained were later released.
The opposition says it will keep protesting.
India’s Supreme Court has agreed to hear petitions about the voter-list process and the election chief’s conduct.
Police detained opposition lawmakers during protests in New Delhi on October 6 and 7, including Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra; reports say they were later released.
On October 6, INDIA bloc lawmakers marched from Parliament toward the Election Commission headquarters and held a sit-in after police blocked their route.
On October 7, lawmakers boarded buses toward Jantar Mantar after a lunch meeting, but police stopped them near Janpath and Ashoka Road.
The opposition demanded Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation, alleging irregularities in voter-roll revisions and questioning the Election Commission’s neutrality.
The BJP and Election Commission denied wrongdoing; the Supreme Court agreed to hear petitions concerning the voter-roll exercise and the election chief’s conduct.
- Who
- INDIA bloc and other opposition lawmakers, including Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra; Delhi Police detained several protesters.
- What
- Lawmakers protested and demanded Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation over voter-roll revisions; police stopped and detained some participants.
- When
- October 6 and 7; the reports identify these dates as Tuesday and Wednesday.
- Where
- New Delhi, including routes near Parliament, the Election Commission headquarters, Akashvani Bhavan and Jantar Mantar.
- Why
- Opposition parties questioned the voter-roll revision and the Election Commission’s neutrality, alleging irregularities and possible harm to eligible voters.
Opposition parties
BJP and Election Commission
Voter-roll revisions
Opposition parties
Opposition parties alleged the revisions could favor the BJP, affect eligible voters and undermine confidence in the electoral process.
BJP and Election Commission
The BJP and Election Commission denied wrongdoing; the Commission said its SIR orders and schedules had unanimous approval.
Election Commission’s neutrality
Opposition parties
Opposition leaders questioned the Commission’s impartiality and sought meetings with election commissioners, while demanding Kumar’s resignation.
BJP and Election Commission
The BJP rejected the accusations as baseless and accused Congress of attacking institutions; the Commission said its proposed meeting arrangements followed protocol.
Police response to protests
Opposition parties
Opposition leaders said police prevented them from reaching protest sites; some alleged they were manhandled.
BJP and Election Commission
Delhi Police said the October 6 detentions were lawful and intended to maintain peace and public safety.
- Chief Election Commissioner
- Gyanesh Kumar
- Protest dates
- October 6 and 7
- October 6 action
- Police blocked an INDIA bloc march from Parliament toward the Election Commission headquarters; a sit-in followed.
- October 6 detentions
- Delhi Police said about 260 people, including 10 MPs, were detained and later released.
- October 7 action
- Police stopped buses carrying opposition lawmakers toward Jantar Mantar near Janpath and Ashoka Road.
- Opposition demand
- Resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
- Election Commission position
- The Commission said its Special Intensive Revision orders and schedules had unanimous approval; the Commission and BJP denied wrongdoing.
- Supreme Court
- Agreed to hear petitions concerning the voter-list exercise and the election chief’s conduct.
Sources
Opposition MPs march to EC office demanding CEC resignation, stopped by police
Rahul, Priyanka detained in another day of street showdowns against CEC by combative Oppn
Police break up Indian opposition protest seeking resignation of election chief
Rahul, Priyanka detained again as Oppn continues protest in capital: What happened on Day 2
‘Nothing Modi and Shah can do will stop us’: Rahul Gandhi vows to fight until ‘CEC resigns’
Rahul Gandhi Detained in Protest Against Election Chief
Congress Vs EC: Rahul Gandhi Leads Protest in Delhi
India detains opposition lawmakers protesting against election chief