Delhi Police Detain Protesters Demanding Resignation of Chief Election Commissioner

On Friday, a demonstration in Delhi saw numerous protesters detained by the police as they attempted to march towards the Election Commission headquarters. The protest was organized by the Delhi Coordination Committee of People Against SIR, a coalition of students, farmers, and rights activists who are expressing their discontent over the leadership of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The protesters are particularly dissatisfied with his management of the special intensive revision of electoral rolls.

The demonstration began near Gole Dak Khana in central Delhi, with participants vocally opposing Kumar’s handling of the electoral process. They chanted slogans demanding his resignation and called for an immediate halt to the ongoing voter roll revision. The event attracted a range of supporters, including notable figures such as Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader Brinda Karat and members of the All India Democratic Women’s Association, along with the All India Democratic Students’ Organisation.

In anticipation of the march, a significant deployment of Delhi Police and Rapid Action Force personnel was observed across central Delhi to maintain order and control. As the protesters reached Ashok Road, police barricades halted their progress, leading some activists to climb atop buses in an effort to prevent them from leaving the scene. In response to the police intervention, the demonstrators sat down and staged a “People’s Parliament,” a form of peaceful protest intended to voice their demands directly.

Despite the peaceful nature of the demonstration, the police issued orders for the protesters to vacate the area, leading to a standoff. The mobilization highlights ongoing concerns among citizens regarding the electoral process in India, as many believe that the current leadership is undermining the democratic foundation of the electoral system.

This protest is part of a larger landscape of civil activism in India, where various groups are increasingly vocal about their rights and demands. With the Election Commission’s role being scrutinized, the protesters’ demands underscore the growing urgency for transparency and accountability in electoral affairs.

Source: scroll.in