Protests Erupt in Delhi Demanding Resignation of Chief Election Commissioner

In a significant protest in New Delhi, around 150 individuals, including prominent activists and leaders, were detained while demanding the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. The protests, which saw heavy police presence and barricades, were sparked by concerns over the electoral roll revision process. Activists have called for continued demonstrations, emphasizing the need for accountability from the election commission. This situation highlights ongoing tensions between citizens and the government regarding electoral integrity.

By Narendra Chaudhary Oct 3, 2026, 17:13 IST

Protesters Detained in Delhi

AJO leader Kunki Chowdhury addressing the media from a police bus after his detention on Saturday. (Photo)

New Delhi, Oct 3: On Saturday, approximately 150 demonstrators, including Assam Jatiya Parishad's Kunki Chowdhury, AISA's national president Neha Bora, activist Yogendra Yadav, and senior lawyer Prashant Bhushan, were taken into custody while marching towards Jantar Mantar to protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and to call for his resignation.

Law enforcement began detaining protesters as they assembled near the protest location, with security forces positioned at various points and barricades set up on roads leading to Jantar Mantar.

Chowdhury, speaking to reporters from inside a police vehicle post-detention, criticized the central government, stating, “The BJP administration is protecting CEC Gyanesh Kumar. I urge the Delhi Police to stop following orders from above and to stand with the citizens of this country for once.”

A video circulating on social media allegedly shows the detained individuals, including Chowdhury and Yadav, chanting slogans against the CEC. However, the video's authenticity has not been independently verified.

This latest protest follows a call from Bora, who was also detained the previous day, urging activists to reconvene at Jantar Mantar at 1 PM to persist in their demands for Kumar's resignation and to voice concerns regarding the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

On Friday, nearly 1,000 protesters were apprehended in and around Jantar Mantar as police and paramilitary forces blocked large groups from accessing the protest site. Many of those detained were later released.

Delhi Police have filed at least three FIRs related to the protests on Friday, with two registered at the Parliament Street police station and one at Connaught Place.

The FIRs were filed under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which pertains to disobedience of orders issued by public officials.

A senior police official noted that no specific individuals or organizations were named as accused in the FIRs, although the complaints included details about the organizers and groups involved in the protests.

The FIRs address alleged breaches of prohibitory orders enforced throughout New Delhi under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).

These orders restrict gatherings of five or more individuals, processions, demonstrations, picketing, dharnas, and slogan shouting without prior written consent.

The protests have primarily focused on demands for Kumar's resignation and concerns regarding the SIR of electoral rolls.