Archive · 10 Oct 2026
Opposition Leaders Detained During Protest Demanding Election Chief’s Resignation
Opposition leaders planned to protest in Delhi about alleged problems with voter lists.
They wanted the chief election commissioner to resign.
Police stopped many of them from reaching Jantar Mantar and detained them at different places.
Among those detained were four former chief ministers.
Protesters said the police restrictions were unfair and some alleged they had been mistreated.
Student activists at one location announced a hunger strike.
The article does not include a response from the police or the election commissioner.
Delhi Police detained several INDIA bloc leaders as they tried to reach a protest at Jantar Mantar.
Former chief ministers Arvind Kejriwal, Mamata Banerjee, Pinarayi Vijayan and Manik Sarkar were among those detained.
The protest called for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to resign over alleged electoral-roll irregularities.
Detentions took place at multiple locations amid heavy security, barricades and movement restrictions in Delhi.
The CPI(M) and other protesters alleged police mistreatment; SFI activists at Nangloi Stadium announced a hunger strike.
- Who
- Several INDIA bloc leaders and other protesters, including former chief ministers Arvind Kejriwal, Mamata Banerjee, Pinarayi Vijayan and Manik Sarkar.
- What
- Delhi Police detained protesters attempting to join a demonstration demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation.
- When
- Saturday, October 10; the article does not specify the year.
- Where
- Multiple locations in New Delhi, including near Jantar Mantar, Lodhi Estate, South Avenue, Kerala Bhawan, Bawana and Nangloi Stadium.
- Why
- Protesters opposed alleged irregularities in electoral rolls and called for Gyanesh Kumar to resign.
- Main protest site
- Jantar Mantar, New Delhi
- Protest demand
- Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation
- Issue cited
- Alleged irregularities in electoral rolls and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR)
- Former chief ministers detained
- Arvind Kejriwal, Mamata Banerjee, Pinarayi Vijayan and Manik Sarkar
- Detention locations
- Multiple locations across Delhi
- Student protest
- Around 300 students were detained at Nangloi Stadium, according to the report
- Additional protest action
- Rajya Sabha member A A Rahim and detained SFI activists announced a hunger strike at Nangloi Stadium