Anti-CEC protests in Chennai: AISF, AIYF cadres arrested on Anna Salai; more than 30 CJP supporters detained in Besant Nagar

Chennai police arrested a protester on Saturday | Photo credit: Special arrangement

More than 100 cadres of the All India Students’ Federation (AISF) and All India Youth Federation (AIYF) were arrested by the Chennai police on Saturday (October 10, 2026) while trying to take part in a procession to the Tamil Nadu Secretariat demanding the removal of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar.

The members gathered to march to the secretariat and lay siege to the office of the Chief Electoral Officer of Tamil Nadu. The protesters, led by AIYF State Secretary K. Bharathi and AISF State President K. Ibrahim, assembled near the Periyar statue on Anna Salai and proceeded along Sivananda Salai. The police stopped them and prevented them from moving further.

Anti-CEC protest in Delhi LIVE updates: CJP calls on youth to take charge of movement as detained leaders; protesters are taken away from Jantar Mantar in nearby areas

The protesters accused the CEC of orchestrating “vote theft” and called for criminal proceedings and other action against it. They also raised slogans demanding his removal and condemning the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government for allegedly supporting those accused of stealing votes. “Our voice, our right!” and “Don’t steal our right to vote!” were among the slogans raised by the protesters.

The police forcibly tied the protesters into vehicles despite their resistance and violent arguments. They were detained in the municipal building.

During the scuffle, Kavin, a protester from Mylapore, sustained a head injury and was taken to a hospital for treatment.

The protest was held in connection with an agitation called by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) and other left-wing organizations at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi.

More than 30 CJP supporters detained

Meanwhile, more than 30 people protesting in solidarity with the CJP gathered at Elliot’s Beach in Besant Nagar, chanting slogans and calling for the resignation of the CEC. They opposed the SIR exercise and claimed that 13 million voter names were deleted nationwide.

Adyar Deputy Commissioner of Police Badri Narayanan spoke to the protesters but the talks failed to resolve the situation. Police said the group had not secured a permit to hold a demonstration on the beach.

When the protesters refused to leave, the police detained them. There were arguments and scuffles as police tried to clear the area. Some of the protesters lay on the ground and continued chanting before being taken to the community hall of the Urur Kuppam Corporation.

Later DMK leader A. Raja, Ma. Subramanian and Thamizhachi Thangapandian along with party supporters reached the hall, sat on a dharna and demanded the immediate release of the protesters, after which they were released.

Published – 10 Oct 2026 13:08 IST