1 hr ago
Celebrities Back Protests Against CEC Gyanesh Kumar
People gathered in Mumbai and Delhi to protest changes to voter lists.
The changes are part of an exercise called the Special Intensive Revision, or SIR.
Protesters said the process had problems and demanded accountability from Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The Election Commission said the exercise is meant to verify voter lists.
Police detained many people during the demonstrations.
Actor Imran Khan was detained at a protest in Mumbai.
Several actors and filmmakers spoke out in support of protesters or criticised the police response.
The disagreements are about how the voter-list exercise was carried out and how the protests were handled.
Protests on 10 October opposed the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls and called for Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation.
Mumbai Police detained actor Imran Khan during a demonstration at August Kranti Maidan; reports said hundreds of protesters were detained in the city.
In Delhi, police denied permission for a planned gathering at Jantar Mantar and detained organisers and demonstrators; Reuters reported more than 2,000 detentions.
Prakash Raj called for the revision to be scrapped, while Anurag Kashyap, Vishal Dadlani and other film personalities expressed support for protesters or criticised the police response.
The Election Commission described the revision as a verification exercise, while critics alleged irregularities and called for an inquiry and changes to the electoral process.
- Who
- Demonstrators opposing the electoral-roll revision, including actor Imran Khan and other film personalities; police and the Election Commission were also involved.
- What
- Protests against the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls led to detentions and public statements from Bollywood personalities.
- Where
- Demonstrations and detentions were reported in Mumbai and Delhi, including at August Kranti Maidan and near Jantar Mantar.
- When
- 10 October; the year is not specified in the article.
- Why
- Protesters alleged irregularities in the electoral-roll revision and demanded Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation and accountability.
Critics and protesters
Election Commission position
Purpose and conduct of the SIR
Critics and protesters
Critics questioned how the electoral-roll revision was carried out, alleged irregularities and sought an inquiry and changes to the process.
Election Commission position
The Election Commission described the SIR as an exercise to verify electoral rolls.
Response to the demonstrations
Critics and protesters
Film personalities including Prakash Raj and Vishal Dadlani criticised the detentions and police crackdown or expressed solidarity with demonstrators.
Election Commission position
Delhi authorities cited public-order concerns in denying permission for the planned gathering and imposed security restrictions.
Key facts
- Protest date
- 10 October; the article does not specify the year.
- Issue
- The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
- Protesters’ demands
- Gyanesh Kumar’s resignation, an inquiry into the SIR and changes to the electoral process.
- Mumbai
- Imran Khan was detained at a demonstration at August Kranti Maidan; the article says hundreds were detained in the city.
- Delhi
- Police denied permission for a planned Jantar Mantar gathering and imposed security restrictions.
- Reported Delhi detentions
- Reuters reported that more than 2,000 people were detained in Delhi.
- Election Commission position
- The Commission described the SIR as a verification exercise.
Quotes
Shirish Kunder
Filmmaker who posted on X about the protests
“When even the kids start mocking you, it's time to realise that absolutely no one is scared of you anymore (sic).”
livemint.com
“Apparently I'm going for a drive.”
livemint.com
Sources
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