India's opposition is increasing pressure on Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar to resign over allegations of voter roll manipulation. On Tuesday, October 6, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) National Spokesperson Sambit Patra held a press conference in New Delhi, accusing the opposition of attempting to create chaos to promote leader of the opposition Rahul Gandhi. Patra claimed that opposition parties, particularly Gandhi's Congress, were orchestrating a sponsored attempt to demonstrate how power could be shifted in the country, suggesting that this undermines India's democracy and constitutional bodies.
Gandhi joined opposition MPs at Parliament for a protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. He shared a video on X, displaying a placard that read "GYANESH, IT'S DONE BRO!"—a phrase that gained traction during recent mass demonstrations against the election body head. Gandhi wrote on X, "Time to resign," echoing calls for Kumar's resignation.
Indian news channels reported significant security measures, with hundreds of personnel and barricades set up outside the Parliament and Election Commission headquarters to prevent the protesting lawmakers from advancing. The Rapid Action Force (RAF) was also deployed along the planned protest route.
Footage showed opposition leaders gathering at one of the gates of Parliament, holding banners and placards stating "Save Democracy" and "Save my vote." Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut criticized the extensive security arrangements, asserting that the protest was meant to be peaceful. He stated, "We are MPs. We are members of Parliament. We are also citizens of this country. Why is there a need to deploy such a large force to stop us? We will walk and go. We are unarmed," according to news agency PTI.
The opposition leaders are set to march to the Election Commission of India's (ECI) headquarters in New Delhi on Tuesday, demanding the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar following changes to voter lists. Reports indicated that security around the ECI headquarters had been heightened.
The INDIA bloc, a Congress-led alliance of opposition parties, announced the march last week as part of a broader 'Save Democracy' campaign, which has included demonstrations since October 2 over alleged irregularities by the ECI. The opposition is calling for Kumar's removal amid claims of unilateral actions related to the mass removal of names from registered voter lists.
Critics argue that the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process has disenfranchised millions of eligible voters and that the changes favor Prime Minister Narendra Modi's governing BJP. The ECI and the BJP have denied these allegations.
Since the changes began last year, approximately 130 million names have been removed from electoral rolls. The opposition march on Tuesday is expected to start from Parliament House, and INDIA bloc leaders are also anticipated to meet President Droupadi Murmu to discuss concerns regarding the SIR exercise.
In addition, another protest seeking Kumar's resignation is planned by the 'cockroach' protesters at Jantar Mantar on October 10. This site is known for its historical significance in Indian protests, including one that led to the resignation of the education minister. Meanwhile, by-elections are currently taking place in three states and one Union Territory amid the ongoing controversy over voter-list manipulation.