Thousands Rally in Mumbai and Over 700 Detained in Delhi Amid Growing Calls for CEC Gyanesh Kumar’s Resignation

MUMBAI / NEW DELHI — Massive coordinated demonstrations erupted across Mumbai and the national capital on Friday (Gandhi Jayanti) as opposition groups, student outfits, and youth-led collectives demanded the immediate resignation and criminal investigation of Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar.

The protests, sparked by alleged irregularities and large-scale voter deletions in the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise, witnessed heavy police deployments, barricades, and widespread detentions.

Mumbai: Thousands Defy Barricades at Shivaji Park

In Dadar, central Mumbai, thousands of demonstrators gathered for a “Jail Bharo Andolan” convened by the youth-led Cockroach Janta Party (CJP).

Despite the Mumbai Police formally denying permission—citing park noise limits, neighborhood traffic disruptions, and emergency corridors for nearby hospitals—protesters began gathering around the perimeter from the afternoon. Holding the national flag and placards reading “Gyanesh, Just Resign”, crowds breached access gates to occupy Shivaji Park.

Prominent civil society members and public figures, including actor Shabana Azmi and music composer Vishal Dadlani, joined the demonstrators at the park to voice support for voting rights and peaceful protest.

Addressing the crowd, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke challenged state authorities:

“We will not back down. Gyanesh Kumar must step down and face criminal proceedings over voter roll manipulation. If our voices are not heard, we will take this movement nationwide.”

Delhi: Jantar Mantar Crackdown and Mass Detentions

Parallel agitations in New Delhi led to a security lockdown around Jantar Mantar and surrounding avenues. Delhi Police invoked Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) to prohibit public assemblies and erected multi-layered barricades to block approaching student and political delegations.

More than 700 protesters were detained and transported to multiple police stations across the city. Among those detained were:

• Former Delhi Chief Minister and senior Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Atishi.
• Leaders and cadres from student organizations, including the All India Students’ Association (AISA), Students’ Federation of India (SFI), and the National Students’ Union of India (NSUI).
• Activists from youth wings such as the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) and Indian Youth Congress.

The Spark: The “SIR” Controversy

The agitation stems from fallout over the ECI’s recent Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process. Protest organizers and opposition leaders allege that:

1. Millions of voters were systematically removed from rolls ahead of upcoming state and regional polls.
2. Internal dissent within the three-member commission was sidelined, pointing to investigative reports alleging procedural objections raised by other Election Commissioners.

Protesters have laid out three primary demands:

• The immediate resignation of CEC Gyanesh Kumar.
• An immediate freeze on the SIR exercise alongside the restoration of the January 2025 electoral lists.
• The repeal of the 2023 Chief Election Commissioner and other Election Commissioners Appointment Act, returning to a selection process involving independent judicial oversight.

The Election Commission has denied all accusations of bias or arbitrary deletions, stating that all administrative decisions, including the roll revisions, were made unanimously according to statutory guidelines. Organizers in Delhi and Mumbai, however, stated that demonstrations will continue through the weekend.