Archive · 28 Sep 2026
CPI Protesters Clash With Police Over Bihar Electoral Roll Revision
CPI workers and other groups held a large protest in Patna.
They wanted Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to resign.
They also wanted the special checking of voter lists, called SIR, to be cancelled.
The protesters said voter names had been removed unfairly.
Police said some people in the crowd threw stones and injured people.
When protesters crossed barricades, police used water cannons, and one report also mentioned a mild lathi charge.
Some protest leaders and protesters were taken into custody.
Congress held a separate protest, while BJP leaders defended the election authorities and the SIR process.
CPI workers and affiliated groups marched in Patna demanding CEC Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation and cancellation of the SIR.
Police used water cannons after protesters breached barricades, with reports identifying Dak Bungalow Crossing and JP Roundabout as confrontation points.
Police alleged that some protesters pelted stones, while another report said a mild lathi charge was also used; several people were detained or taken away.
The protesters demanded repeal of the Waqf Amendment Act and submitted a memorandum to Governor Syed Ata Hasnain.
Congress separately protested over alleged vote theft and electoral-roll irregularities, while BJP leaders defended the Election Commission and SIR.
- Who
- Workers and leaders of the Communist Party of India, its affiliated organisations, Congress workers, police, BJP leaders, and other participants were involved or commented.
- What
- CPI-led protesters marched, breached police barricades, and demanded Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation, cancellation of the SIR, and repeal of the Waqf Amendment Act.
- When
- Monday, September 28; the year is not consistently specified in the reports.
- Where
- Patna, Bihar, including Gandhi Maidan, JP Roundabout, Dak Bungalow Crossing, R Block, Kadam Kuan, Dinkar Golambar, and the Election Commission office.
- Why
- Protesters cited alleged electoral-roll irregularities and voter deletions, while also raising demands concerning the Waqf law, employment, agriculture, labour codes, and public-sector privatisation.
Protesters and Opposition Parties
Police and BJP Leaders
Special Intensive Revision
Protesters and Opposition Parties
The CPI and Congress demanded cancellation of the SIR, alleging electoral-roll irregularities, unilateral decisions, and deletion of voters’ names.
Police and BJP Leaders
BJP leaders defended the SIR, said opposition criticism followed electoral defeats, and cited the Supreme Court’s reported upholding of its validity.
Conduct of the Protest
Protesters and Opposition Parties
The CPI described the march as a demonstration to present demands and later submitted a memorandum to the governor.
Police and BJP Leaders
Police said protesters breached barricades and that some anti-social elements allegedly threw stones, prompting the use of water cannons; one report also mentioned a mild lathi charge.
Election Commission
Protesters and Opposition Parties
Congress demanded an impartial investigation into alleged vote theft and electoral-roll changes and sought Kumar’s arrest.
Police and BJP Leaders
BJP leaders said targeting the Election Commission undermined constitutional institutions and reflected a lack of issues for Congress.
- Main demands
- Resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar, cancellation of the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, and repeal of the Waqf Amendment Act.
- Police response
- Police used water cannons after protesters breached barricades; one report also described a mild lathi charge.
- Police allegation
- Patna SSP Kartikeya Sharma said some anti-social elements among the protesters allegedly pelted stones and injured people.
- Detentions
- Several protesters, including named CPI and affiliated-organisation leaders, were taken into custody or removed in police vehicles.
- Other protest
- Congress workers held demonstrations, burnt effigies, marched to the Election Commission office, and threw ink on its gates.
- Economic demands
- The CPI memorandum sought 200 days of guaranteed work, agricultural loan waivers, crop-procurement guarantees, withdrawal of new labour codes, and an end to public-sector privatisation.
- BJP response
- Rajiv Pratap Rudy and Ravishankar Prasad defended the poll panel and criticised Congress objections to the SIR.
