Hundreds Detained in Delhi and Mumbai Protests Demanding CEC Resignation Over Voter Roll Rows
Delhi Police detained more than 700 demonstrators, including prominent political figures and student activists, who attempted to march toward Jantar Mantar on Thursday to demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. Concurrently, thousands of protesters gathered at Mumbai's Shivaji Park under the banner of the Cockroach Janta Party, defying police prohibitions to protest alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls and mass voter deletions.
According to The Times of India, for Delhi and Mumbai Police Enforcement, A prohibitory order under Section 163 of the BNSS, 2023, is in force in New Delhi district to maintain public order. According to Gujarat Samachar, for Representation of the People Act, 1950, The Election Commission faced a U-turn regarding Form 6 after internal rifts and mass protests following the SIR aftermath.
The demonstrations across multiple cities drew opposition leaders, student bodies such as AISA, SFI, and NSUI, and civil society members protesting against the Election Commission of India. In New Delhi, security forces implemented severe restrictions across the central district, closing 11 metro stations, shutting down local internet services, and deploying Central Armed Police Forces alongside surveillance drones. Among those detained by police personnel in the capital were former Delhi Chief Minister Atishi, AAP Delhi unit chief Saurabh Bharadwaj, and RJD MP Manoj Jha.
Mumbai Protests at Shivaji Park
Despite heavy barricading around Dadar railway station and police refusal to grant permission for the agitation, thousands assembled at Mumbai's historic Shivaji Park. Demonstrators chanted slogans and carried the national flag, accompanied by public figures including actor Shabana Azmi, musician Vishal Dadlani, and Tushar Gandhi. According to The Times of India, cJP founder Abhijeet Dipke and other organizers challenged state authorities over the police crackdown, while local legal associations in Maharashtra announced plans to provide free legal assistance to protesters facing police action.
Opposition Demands and Allegations
Protesters and opposition leaders have targeted Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over what they characterize as widespread and systematic vote deletions during the Special Intensive Revision exercise. Speakers at the various demonstration sites accused the election oversight body of compromising electoral integrity, demanding criminal proceedings and a complete restructuring of how election commissioners are appointed with civil society participation. The demonstrations follow heightened political friction surrounding voter roll management across multiple states.
The affected metro facilities included Rajiv Chowk, Mandi House, and New Delhi stations, where interchange pathways remained accessible while normal entries and exits stayed closed. The Election Commission of India ordered a special enrollment drive targeting voters left out following the Special Intensive Revision across 20 states.
Implementation and Next Steps
Authorities have indicated that detained demonstrators in New Delhi are being processed at various police stations outside the central district and will be released following completion of necessary legal formalities. Opposition outfits have vowed to continue their agitation phase with planned demonstrations in additional cities, culminating in further protests in New Delhi by the end of the month.