1 day ago
Delhi Protest Crackdown Contrasts With Mumbai’s Festive Rally Against Gyanesh Kumar
People in Delhi and Mumbai protested on Gandhi Jayanti and asked election chief Gyanesh Kumar to resign.
They were upset about a voter-list check called the Special Intensive Revision, or SIR.
Protesters worried that people who should be able to vote might be left off the lists.
One person in Mumbai said five members of his family had been removed.
In Delhi, police blocked roads and detained protesters; The Hindu reported that at least 700 were detained.
In Mumbai, thousands gathered near Shivaji Park even though police had not given permission for the rally.
Speakers addressed the crowd from an open truck, and musician Vishal Dadlani sang.
The protests had different atmospheres, but people in both cities objected to the voter-roll process.
Protesters in Delhi and Mumbai called for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to resign over the Special Intensive Revision of voter rolls.
Protesters said the revision could remove eligible voters; one Mumbai participant said five family members had been removed from the rolls.
Delhi Police blocked roads and detained protesters; The Hindu reported at least 700 detentions.
Thousands gathered near Mumbai’s Shivaji Park despite police refusing permission; organisers held speeches from an open truck, and Vishal Dadlani performed.
Participants voiced broader concerns about democracy and dissent, while a Mumbai protester also cited damage to his motorcycle linked to ethanol-mixed petrol.
- Who
- Protesters in Delhi and Mumbai, including supporters of the Cockroach Janta Party, called for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to resign.
- What
- Demonstrations against the Special Intensive Revision of voter rolls and alleged voter deletions.
- Where
- Jantar Mantar and nearby streets in Delhi, and the area around Shivaji Park in Mumbai.
- When
- October 2, Gandhi Jayanti; the Rediff report dates its coverage to October 2, 2026.
- Why
- Protesters said the voter-roll revision could remove eligible voters and undermine their ability to vote.
Protesters’ concerns
Official position in the reports
Voter-roll revision
Protesters’ concerns
Protesters said the SIR could remove genuine voters and prevent them from voting; some cited family members removed from voter lists.
Official position in the reports
The articles describe the SIR as an Election Commission exercise to verify voters using their own or their parents’ voting records; they do not include a response from the Election Commission to the protesters’ claims.
Right to protest
Protesters’ concerns
Participants said democratic dissent and the ability to express political views should be protected.
Official position in the reports
Authorities restricted the gatherings: Delhi Police blocked access and detained protesters, while Mumbai Police had refused permission for the rally.
Key facts
- Main demand
- Protesters called for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation.
- Issue
- The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of voter rolls.
- Delhi
- Police blocked routes to Jantar Mantar and detained protesters; The Hindu reported at least 700 detentions.
- Mumbai
- Thousands gathered around Shivaji Park; the Rediff report said about 5,000 were present when the rally began.
- Mumbai restrictions
- Police had refused permission for the protest.
- Reported voter deletions
- Rediff reported that 13.3 crore voters had been deleted across 20 states and Union territories under the latest SIR.
- Mumbai programme
- Cockroach Janta Party leaders addressed the crowd from an open truck; Vishal Dadlani performed at the gathering.
Quotes
Nirdosh Rawat
A 23-year-old Delhi University student commenting on the absence of opposition parties.
“I feel the right to dissent is a must in any democracy. And as a youngster of this country I feel we are losing our democratic voice under this regime.”
rediff.com
“Five of my family members are ousted from the SIR list and now they won't be able to vote in their life thanks to Gyanesh Kumar.”
rediff.com
Sources
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