1 hr ago
Bihar Gandhi Jayanti March Demands Election Chief Gyanesh Kumar’s Resignation
Congress workers in Madhepura held a march on Gandhi Jayanti.
They promised to support peace, the Constitution and democracy.
Their leader, Mrinal Yadav, asked Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to resign.
He said similar protests could spread to other parts of Bihar.
A separate protest was planned in New Delhi, but Delhi Police did not allow it at Jantar Mantar.
Police also restricted movement and closed entrances and exits at several Metro stations.
Some opposition leaders said these actions and election-roll issues could threaten people’s voting rights.
The Election Commission said disagreements can happen, but decisions are made through the official process.
The dispute remains a subject of political debate.
The Madhepura District Congress Committee held a Gandhi Jayanti padyatra promoting non-violence, constitutional values and democracy.
Congress leaders and workers, led by Mrinal Yadav, demanded Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation.
Mrinal Yadav said the Madhepura agitation would expand across Bihar and continue until Kumar resigned.
Delhi Police denied permission for a proposed Oct. 2 Jantar Mantar protest and imposed security restrictions in New Delhi.
Opposition groups cited concerns about electoral-roll revisions and voting rights, while the Election Commission defended its prescribed decision-making process.
- Who
- The Madhepura District Congress Committee, Congress workers and leaders led by Mrinal Yadav; opposition groups also raised concerns about the Election Commission.
- What
- A Gandhi Jayanti padyatra was held in Madhepura, with demands for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation and debate over electoral rolls and voting rights.
- Where
- The march took place in Madhepura, Bihar, and ended at the Zila Parishad grounds; a separate proposed protest was planned at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi.
- When
- On Gandhi Jayanti and the International Day of Non-Violence, described in the article as Friday and Oct. 2.
- Why
- Organisers said they wanted to protect democracy, the Constitution and voting rights, and called for action over concerns about electoral-roll revisions and the Election Commission’s functioning.
Protesters and Opposition Critics
Election Commission and Authorities
Demand for resignation
Protesters and Opposition Critics
Congress leaders and other protest organisers said Gyanesh Kumar should resign and pledged to continue their agitation.
Election Commission and Authorities
The articles report no agreement from Gyanesh Kumar or the Election Commission to the resignation demand.
Electoral-roll concerns
Protesters and Opposition Critics
Opposition leaders alleged that electoral processes, voter rights and electoral rolls—including Form 6 and technology-related systems—could be undermined and called for an investigation.
Election Commission and Authorities
The Election Commission maintained that differences can occur during deliberations and that decisions are made through the prescribed institutional process.
Delhi protest restrictions
Protesters and Opposition Critics
Purnea MP Pappu Yadav criticised the restrictions and Metro closures, questioning public movement and safety, particularly for women.
Election Commission and Authorities
Delhi Police cited security and law-and-order concerns when denying permission for the Jantar Mantar gathering and imposing restrictions in New Delhi.
Key facts
- Madhepura event
- A Congress-organised padyatra ended at the Zila Parishad grounds.
- March leadership
- The procession was led by Mrinal Yadav, Bihar Pradesh Congress vice-president and Madhepura district in-charge.
- Main demand
- Protesters demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
- Delhi protest
- Delhi Police denied permission for a proposed Oct. 2 gathering at Jantar Mantar.
- Security measures
- Restrictions were imposed in New Delhi, with additional personnel deployed and access restricted at 11 Metro stations, according to reports.
- Election concerns
- Opposition figures cited allegations involving electoral rolls, Form 6, software and technology companies, and voting rights.
- Election Commission response
- The Commission said differences of opinion may arise during institutional deliberations and that final decisions follow the prescribed process.
Quotes
Mrinal Yadav
Bihar Pradesh Congress vice-president and Congress in-charge for Madhepura district
“Today, there is an urgent need to protect democracy and the Constitution in the country”
thehansindia.com









