In brief
India’s main opposition parties marched in Delhi to demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, claiming voter roll manipulation to benefit the ruling BJP. Thousands gathered on Barakhamba Road, with prominent leaders Rahul Gandhi and Neha Bora leading the protest. Police detained thousands, including journalists, and a protester was reportedly slapped in a bus. The opposition intended to present a memorandum to Chief Justice Surya Kant, but he declined a meeting, citing pending cases. Heavy security and transport restrictions were imposed during the march, and the BJP’s president accused the opposition of destabilising the country.
India’s main opposition parties have begun a march in Delhi to demand that Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar step down, accusing him of manipulating voter rolls to benefit the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Thousands of protestors, including Congress MP Rahul Gandhi and left‑wing student leader Neha Bora, descended on Barakhamba Road in central Delhi. During the gathering, the police reportedly detained thousands, including journalists, and a protester was slapped in a bus.
Opposition leaders said they intended to hand a memorandum to Chief Justice Surya Kant, but the judge declined a meeting, citing that similar concerns were already pending before the court. “Every Indian citizen has the right to approach the court, and we will hear their concerns,” he told reporters.
Heavy restrictions were announced for traffic and metro stations, with dozens of police and paramilitary personnel posted along the route. The government refused to dismiss the allegations, and BJP president Nitin Nabin accused the protestors of destabilising India on foreign instruction.
The case follows a week of earlier demonstrations, including a plan by the Cockroach Janata Party to march to Jantar Mantar, which was blocked by security forces. Reporters Without Borders condemned the detention of at least 16 journalists, calling the police’s actions “unacceptable.”
Images from the protest:
