New Delhi: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Gandhi Jayanti backed demonstrations against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the Election Commission, saying protesters were exercising their constitutional rights.
In a post on X, Gandhi said the demonstrators were raising concerns over alleged “vote theft” and demanded Kumar’s resignation. He also criticised the detention of protesters, arguing that questioning electoral institutions should not be met with force.
The remarks came as opposition parties, student organisations and civil society groups gathered in Delhi and other cities over the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. Delhi Police had denied permission for the proposed Jantar Mantar demonstration and imposed restrictions in the area. More than 500 people were detained during the protests, including AAP leaders Atishi and Saurabh Bharadwaj, activist Yogendra Yadav and AISA president Neha Bora.
Gandhi invoked Mahatma Gandhi’s emphasis on truth and non violence while defending the protesters. He said a police baton could stop a gathering but could not stop questions being raised over the electoral process.
The protests are centred on the Special Intensive Revision, or SIR, of electoral rolls. Opposition parties have raised concerns that the exercise could result in eligible voters being excluded from electoral lists. These are political allegations and remain contested.
The Election Commission has maintained that the SIR process and its decisions were taken through its established procedures. The poll panel has also said that differing views and suggestions during its internal deliberations are part of normal decision making.
The demonstrations are expected to continue, with opposition groups and civil society organisations announcing further programmes in Delhi and other parts of the country.
