Nationwide protests demanding ouster of CEC Gyanesh Kumar, hundreds detained

Opposition parties, civil society activists, youth and student organizations staged protests across the country on Friday (October 2, 2026) demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar.

In Mumbai, protests led by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) at Shivaji Park received support from actors and artists. In Delhi, the Delhi Police arrested more than 500 people, including former Chief Minister Atisihi.

Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, condemned the police crackdown on the protesters and said hundreds were in custody. “Their only crime is that they dared to question the theft of votes,” he said.

Thousands of people joined peaceful Gandhi Jayanti protests and demanded Mr. Kumar’s resignation. “Bapu taught us exactly this – to speak the truth, to fight peacefully. And that is what scares this government the most. A lathi can stop a mob, but that is not the question. Gyanesh Kumar will go. And the system that put him there will go too,” Mr Gandhi said.

Congress general secretary, organization KC Venugopal said that members of opposition parties are ready to go to jail to save democracy.

Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) national president and CPI(M) MP AA Rahim, who was detained at Jantar Mantar, said the authorities denied permission for peaceful protests even at the designated protest site. “They blocked Jantar Mantar, closed metro stations and shut down the internet. Brute force was used on the protesting youth and students. Senior leaders like Brinda Karat and MA Baby were detained. But they cannot stop our protests by using force. We will continue our resistance until Mr. Kumar asks for his resignation,” said Mr. Rahim.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) said the crackdown raised a fundamental question about citizens’ right to peaceful protest amid concerns about their votes and the electoral process. In a post on X, AAP leader Manish Sisodia said, “Protest is against Gyanesh Kumar and Amit Shah is involved in suppressing this protest. Today, Delhi Police is determined to suppress every voice demanding resignation of Gyanesh Kumar.”

Strength

New Delhi turned into a fortress due to heavy police deployment and barricades at Jantar Mantar, restricting the entry of people trying to protest. The Students Federation of India (SFI) and DYFI issued a call to launch a protest from Mandi House.

The National Students Union of India started their march from Raisina Road and members of the Indian Youth Congress joined the march. Bans were enforced under Section 163 of the BNSS in the Parliament Street subdivision where the site of the protest is located, restricting any public assembly. Hundreds of Delhi Police, CAPF and RAF personnel blocked two entry points of the Jantar Mantar protest site: one from Sansad Marg and the other from the Kerala House side. The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation announced that entry and exit were closed at 12 stations, including those in the immediate vicinity of the protest site. Internet services were shut down at the protest site, traders and concert workers in the vicinity faced difficulties in accepting UPI payments from customers. Services were restored later in the evening.

CJP takes the lead

In Mumbai, thousands of protesters gathered at Shivaji Park in Dadar to demand electoral reforms. Several student organizations responded to the CJP’s call and joined the protest. Patriotic songs were sung, slogans were chanted, street performances were held. Abhijeet Dipke was joined on stage by celebrities like actor Shabana Azmi and singer Vishal Dadlani. Ms. Azmi said that the right to vote is given by the constitution and people will protest if it is taken away. Mr. Dipke and CJP leaders called for Mr. Kumar’s resignation.

In Kerala, district units of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) organized a rally demanding the resignation of Mr. Kumar and protesting the arrest of CPI(M) leaders Mr. Baba and Ms. Karat in New Delhi. Protest marches were organized across the state, including Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi and Kozhikode. Senior CPI(M) leader and Keralam Leader of Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan said the arrest of Mr. Baba, Ms. Karat and student youth activists while they were peacefully protesting was an attack on democratic rights.

As part of the joint protest plans of India’s National Developmental Inclusive Alliance bloc, state units of the Congress staged district-level ‘Save Democracy’ marches. In Srinagar, scores of Congress leaders and workers gathered at the party headquarters on MA Road. They tried to march towards the main road but were stopped by the police who did not allow them to leave the party office premises. Congress Party Srinagar District President Adil Farooq said that every sector in the country has been attacked and is being destroyed.

In Jaipur, AAP staged a protest at Shaheed Smarak demanding Mr. Kumar’s resignation. They raised questions about the special intensive review and demanded an independent and transparent review of the electoral rolls.

Opposition parties, left parties and civil society groups in Vijayawada organized massive rallies and public meetings demanding the removal of Mr. Kumar, suspension of the SIR and restructuring of the Election Commission. The protesters alleged that more than 13 million names were excluded from the draft electoral rolls during the SIR and demanded that eligible voters be restored. Organized as part of the nationwide protests, the rally started at Tummalapalli Kalakshetram and proceeded via Old Bus Stand and Eluru Road to the Lenin Centre, with protesters carrying placards and raising slogans.

Published – 02 Oct 2026 23:10 IST