New Delhi: Central Delhi witnessed heightened security and traffic restrictions on Monday as leaders and workers of the INDIA bloc marched towards the Supreme Court, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over alleged irregularities in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
The march, led by Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, saw the participation of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav, Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee and other opposition leaders.
The protesters said they wanted to draw attention to alleged problems in the voter-list revision process and seek action against the Election Commission chief. The allegations remain contested, with the Election Commission maintaining that the revision exercise is aimed at correcting electoral rolls.
Why Is The INDIA Bloc Demanding Gyanesh Kumar’s Resignation?
The opposition has accused the Election Commission of failing to address alleged irregularities in the SIR process and questioned whether the exercise has been conducted impartially.
The controversy includes allegations concerning the handling of voter applications and forms used during the revision of electoral rolls. Opposition leaders have also raised concerns about alleged duplicate entries and the inclusion or deletion of names.
The INDIA bloc has demanded Kumar’s resignation and wants the issues surrounding the SIR process to be examined by the Supreme Court.
The Election Commission’s role and the opposition’s allegations are at the centre of a wider political dispute over the integrity of the electoral process.
What Did Rahul Gandhi And Other Opposition Leaders Say?
Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge questioned the authorisation and handling of voter forms, including Form 6 and pre-printed Form 7.
“We are asking very valid questions. Who authorised Form 6? Whose bulk-printing, pre-printed Form 7?… Where is Gyanesh Kumar hiding?” Kharge told ANI, questioning the poll body’s conduct.
Punjab Congress president Pargat Singh accused the BJP of undermining democratic institutions and protecting the Chief Election Commissioner. His remarks reflected the opposition’s broader charge that the SIR controversy raises questions about the independence of electoral institutions.
Akhilesh Yadav also questioned the effectiveness of the revision exercise, alleging that duplicate entries remained in Uttar Pradesh despite the process. He accused the Election Commission of acting at the BJP’s behest, a charge that has not been established as fact.
Samajwadi Party MP Zia-ur-Rehman Barq said the agitation would continue until Kumar resigned.
Did The Chief Justice Of India Meet The INDIA Bloc Delegation?
The opposition delegation had sought a meeting with Chief Justice of India Surya Kant to present its grievances and press for action over the SIR process.
However, the CJI declined the request, with reports indicating that the related issues were already before the court and could be addressed through judicial proceedings. Congress MP Amarinder Singh Raja Warring had appealed for a meeting, asking who would hear the public’s grievances if the delegation could not meet the Chief Justice.
The opposition had planned to submit a memorandum to the Supreme Court seeking a halt to the SIR process and action against Kumar. The request for a meeting and the formal submission of any petition are separate matters.
Which INDIA Bloc Leaders Took Part In The March?
The protest brought together senior leaders from several opposition parties.
Those participating included Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, Mamata Banerjee, Akhilesh Yadav and former Bihar deputy chief minister Tejashwi Yadav, alongside leaders from the CPI and CPM.
The march began around the Barakhamba Road and Mandi House areas, with protesters carrying national flags and placards and raising slogans against the Election Commission. Heavy police deployment and barricades were put in place along key stretches of central Delhi.
How Did The Protest Affect Central Delhi?
Security was tightened around central Delhi as the march moved towards the Supreme Court. Police barricades and traffic restrictions affected movement in parts of the capital, while authorities deployed personnel to manage the crowds and maintain public order.
The march followed days of protests and detentions linked to demonstrations against Kumar and the SIR process. The opposition has vowed to continue raising the issue, framing it as a fight for electoral fairness and the protection of democratic institutions.
The immediate political demand remains Kumar’s resignation, while the wider dispute centres on the conduct of the electoral roll revision and the opposition’s allegations against the poll body.
