Archive · 25 Sep 2026
SFI, DYFI Condemn Arrests During Protest Against Election Chief
SFI and DYFI held a protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
They wanted him to resign and raised concerns about how the Election Commission is working.
The groups said police used too much force during the demonstration.
They said several leaders and activists were arrested or detained.
The people named included two Rajya Sabha MPs and members of SFI’s Delhi unit.
The organisations asked that everyone arrested be released.
They also called for action against police officers allegedly involved in using force.
The protest happened during a wider disagreement about decisions involving electoral rolls and a process called Special Intensive Revision.
SFI and DYFI said they would continue asking for accountability from the poll panel.
SFI and DYFI condemned the arrests of leaders and activists during a protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The organisations alleged that police used “indiscriminate force” against demonstrators.
The protest demanded Kumar’s resignation and raised concerns about the functioning of the Election Commission.
Those identified as arrested or detained included Rajya Sabha MPs A A Rahim and Sivadasan and several SFI office-bearers.
SFI and DYFI demanded the release of those arrested and action against police personnel allegedly responsible for using force.
- Who
- SFI, DYFI, their leaders and activists, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, and police personnel involved in the protest response.
- What
- SFI and DYFI condemned arrests or detentions during a protest demanding Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation and accountability in the Election Commission’s functioning.
- When
- September 25, according to the report.
- Where
- New Delhi.
- Why
- The protest raised concerns about the Election Commission and reportedly related decisions involving electoral rolls and the Special Intensive Revision.
Protesters’ allegations and demands
Police and Election Commission perspective
Use of force
Protesters’ allegations and demands
SFI and DYFI alleged that police used indiscriminate force against demonstrators and demanded action against the personnel involved.
Police and Election Commission perspective
The report does not include a response from the police or the Election Commission to these allegations.
Arrests or detentions
Protesters’ allegations and demands
The organisations called for the immediate release of those arrested and condemned the action against their leaders and activists.
Police and Election Commission perspective
The report provides no official explanation for the arrests or detentions.
Election Commission accountability
Protesters’ allegations and demands
SFI and DYFI demanded Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation and said they would continue raising concerns about the poll panel’s functioning.
Police and Election Commission perspective
The report does not state the Election Commission’s response to the demands or the concerns over electoral-roll decisions.
- Protesting organisations
- Students’ Federation of India (SFI) and Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI)
- Protest target
- Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar
- Main demand
- Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation and greater accountability in the functioning of the Election Commission
- Police conduct alleged
- SFI and DYFI alleged that police used “indiscriminate force” against protesters
- People identified
- Rajya Sabha MPs A A Rahim and Sivadasan, SFI All India President Adarsh M Saji, and several Delhi office-bearers
- Organisations’ response
- They demanded the immediate release of those arrested and action against police personnel allegedly responsible
- Broader context
- A political row over reportedly raised objections to decisions concerning electoral rolls and the Special Intensive Revision