Archive · 3 Oct 2026
Protests Against Election Chief Resume After Mass Detentions
People gathered in Delhi to ask election chief Gyanesh Kumar to resign.
They said there were problems with changes to voter lists and that many voters were removed.
The protest included political parties and student groups.
Police detained nearly 1,000 people, and many were later released.
Police said no permission had been granted for the protest.
Authorities also brought in extra security and restricted some transport and internet services.
Neha Bora said protesters would return to Jantar Mantar on Saturday.
A separate protest was also held in Mumbai.
AISA chief Neha Bora said protesters would return to Jantar Mantar on Saturday, October 3.
Protesters called for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to resign over alleged electoral-roll irregularities and voter deletions.
Delhi Police detained nearly 1,000 protesters during Friday’s demonstration; many were later released.
The protest involved AAP, AISA, SFI, NSUI, IYC and other student and youth groups.
Authorities imposed prohibitory orders, deployed police and paramilitary forces, suspended internet services in central Delhi, and closed gates at 12 metro stations.
- Who
- Protesters from political parties, student groups and civil society organisations, including AISA chief Neha Bora.
- What
- Demonstrations demanding Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation over alleged electoral-roll irregularities.
- When
- Friday, October 2, with protesters expected to return on Saturday, October 3; a further Delhi protest was announced for October 10.
- Where
- Jantar Mantar and other locations in Delhi, with a separate demonstration at Shivaji Park in Mumbai.
- Why
- Protesters alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls and mass voter deletions.
Protesters
Authorities
Protest and response
Protesters
Protesters demanded Kumar’s resignation, citing alleged irregularities in voter-list revisions and mass voter deletions.
Authorities
Police said no permission had been granted for the demonstration; authorities imposed prohibitory orders and security restrictions.
- Detentions
- Delhi Police detained nearly 1,000 people; many were later released.
- Protest demand
- Resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
- Organisations involved
- AAP, AISA, SFI, NSUI, IYC and other student and youth organisations.
- Security deployment
- Around 5,000 Delhi Police and paramilitary personnel were deployed in the Lutyens’ zone and surrounding areas.
- Metro restrictions
- Entry and exit gates at 12 metro stations were closed.
- Internet
- Internet services were suspended in central Delhi amid the protests.
- Further protest
- CJP leader Abhijeet Dipke announced a Delhi protest for October 10 if Kumar did not resign.