2 hrs ago
IYC Protesters Wear Batman Masks, Demand Election Chief's Resignation
The Indian Youth Congress held a protest in New Delhi about changes to voter lists.
Protesters wore Batman masks and demanded that Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar resign.
They said some eligible voters had their names removed or were wrongly listed as dead.
IYC leader Uday Bhanu Chib said the group would work to get those names restored.
The protesters tried to march, and the IYC said police detained 25 people.
Chib also said the group had been denied permission to protest at Jantar Mantar.
He argued that people should be able to raise concerns and ask officials for answers.
Separately, the Supreme Court said movement of metro services and trains to Delhi should not be completely stopped for a planned protest on October 10.
Indian Youth Congress protesters wearing Batman masks demonstrated in New Delhi against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The IYC demanded Kumar’s resignation over the special intensive revision of electoral rolls.
IYC president Uday Bhanu Chib said the group would fight to restore names wrongly removed or marked as belonging to deceased voters.
The protesters attempted to march from Akbar Road towards Kartavya Path; the IYC said police detained 25 people.
Chib said Delhi Police had denied the group permission to demonstrate at Jantar Mantar, while invoking the right to protest and call for accountability.
- Who
- Indian Youth Congress protesters, led by IYC president Uday Bhanu Chib; the protest targeted Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
- What
- A protest against the special intensive revision of electoral rolls, with demonstrators demanding Kumar’s resignation and the restoration of voter names they say were wrongly removed.
- Where
- New Delhi; protesters attempted to march from Akbar Road towards Kartavya Path.
- When
- Friday, October 9; the report also refers to a separate protest planned for October 10.
- Why
- The IYC alleges the electoral-roll revision wrongly excluded eligible voters and raises concerns about the Election Commission’s functioning.
IYC and protesters
Authorities and restrictions
Electoral-roll revision
IYC and protesters
The IYC alleges eligible voters were wrongly removed or marked dead and says their names should be restored.
Authorities and restrictions
The report does not provide a response from the Election Commission or Gyanesh Kumar to the allegations.
Right to protest
IYC and protesters
Chib said protesters should be able to raise concerns and called for transparency, accountability and democratic dialogue.
Authorities and restrictions
Chib said Delhi Police denied permission for the IYC demonstration at Jantar Mantar; the report does not include the police’s explanation.
Key facts
- Organiser
- Indian Youth Congress (IYC)
- IYC president
- Uday Bhanu Chib
- Person targeted
- Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar
- Main demand
- Kumar’s resignation and restoration of voter names allegedly wrongly removed
- Reported detentions
- The IYC said police detained 25 protesters
- Planned march route
- From Akbar Road towards Kartavya Path
- Other court-related detail
- The Supreme Court said movement of metro services and trains to Delhi should not be completely prohibited for a separate protest planned for October 10.
Quotes
Uday Bhanu Chib
President of the Indian Youth Congress
“When the credibility and impartiality of the Election Commission are being questioned, the answer cannot be to shut down the streets and silence the protesters. The answer must be transparency, accountability and democratic dialogue.”
theprint.in
“Whoever has had their name struck off the electoral roll or has been declared dead, we demand that their name be included. We will ensure their names are added.”
theprint.in
Sources
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