In brief
Police detained key opposition officials during a march toward India’s Election Commission headquarters, demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over a sweeping voter roll revision. Rahul Gandhi and his sister Priyanka were briefly placed on a police bus before returning to the protest, which turned into a sit‑in near the Commission. The controversy stems from the Commission’s Special Intensive Revision, which has removed over 130 million names from the electoral roll amid claims that many eligible voters were wrongly excluded. The Supreme Court is now reviewing a petition alleging that the Chief Election Commissioner exercised unilateral powers without the consent of the other election commissioners.
Police in Delhi detained several opposition lawmakers, including Rahul Gandhi and his sister Priyanka, as they attempted to march toward the Election Commission headquarters demanding that Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar resign over a controversial voter roll revision.
The March and Detention
Lawmakers were boarded onto a police bus and released after a short time, after which they resumed their march before setting up a sit‑in near the Commission’s office. Policed entry points along the route prevented others from continuing, with officers at multiple checkpoints picking up protesters and transporting them to police stations.
Nationwide Roll Revision Controversy
The unrest stems from the Election Commission’s Special Intensive Revision, launched last year to remove duplicate and ineligible voters. More than 130 million names have been removed from draft rolls nationwide, sparking allegations that many eligible voters were wrongly excluded and that the process favoured the ruling party.
Legal and Political Backlash
Opposition parties and activists have accused Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar of unilateral decision‑making, a claim that has led to a petition in the Supreme Court. The Court has asked the federal government and the Commission to respond, noting that any decisions made without unanimous or majority consent could be challenged.
Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge demanded the Commissioner’s resignation, the cancellation of the revision exercise, and a return to paper ballot voting. BJP MPs called the protests a “sponsored attempt” to undermine constitutional institutions and accused the opposition of fomenting anarchy.
The Commission defended its processes, stressing that differing viewpoints are part of institutional functioning and that decisions were ultimately made unanimously. However, the Supreme Court’s preliminary review means the situation remains unresolved as the protest movement continues.
