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Protests in Delhi against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar

Several cities · pinned on Delhi, India · since Oct 2, 2026

Is it still on?

YESDay 5 and counting, since Oct 2.

Last report · checked

Summary in three lines

Why they are protesting
Protesters allege irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, leading to mass deletion of voters.
What they want
Protesters demand the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the scrapping of revisions to the electoral roll.
What changed
Oct 6: Opposition MPs, including Rahul Gandhi, marched towards the Election Commission headquarters, where police detained several protesters.
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Both sides

What protesters want

  • Resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar
  • Action against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar
  • Scrapping of revisions to the electoral roll
  • Addressing alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls
  • Saving democracy

Organised by: All India Students' Association, Aam Aadmi Party, Rashtriya Janata Dal, Cockroach Janta Party, Indian Youth Congress, National Students' Union of India

What authorities say

Delhi Police denied permission for the protests, imposed prohibitory orders, deployed thousands of personnel, set up barricades, and detained hundreds of protesters daily. Three FIRs were registered, and 17 protesters were granted bail after being accused of vandalism and obstructing public servants. The Election Commission and the BJP…1234568910

The numbers

Only figures a source states, with who said it. Estimates often differ.

Arrests / detentions
1,000
Delhi Police detained nearly 1,000 people4
Injuries
1
One police officer has allegedly sustained injuries8

The full story

Protests began in Delhi on October 2, 2026, against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Organised by student groups, opposition parties, and civil society activists, the demonstrations have continued for several days near Jantar Mantar and the Election Commission headquarters. Protesters demand Kumar's resignation, accusing the Election Commission of manipulating voter registrations to benefit the ruling party. Delhi Police denied permission for the gatherings, imposed prohibitory orders, and deployed significant personnel, leading to hundreds of detentions daily. On October 5, a court granted bail to 17 protesters accused of vandalism, while on October 6, opposition MPs marched towards the EC office.

Timeline

  1. Opposition parties, including Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, marched towards the Election Commission headquarters, where police detained several protesters.910

  2. A Delhi court granted bail to 17 protesters accused of vandalism and obstructing public servants during the demonstrations.8

  3. Protests continued for a third consecutive day in Delhi, with police detaining demonstrators and registering cases for violating orders.6

  4. Delhi Police detained hundreds of protesters again as demonstrations continued for a second day, with three FIRs registered.5

  5. Delhi Police denied permission for a protest at Jantar Mantar, imposed prohibitory orders, and detained several political leaders and students.1234

Pins sit on city centres, never on gathering points

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