What Sparked the Congress Protest Against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar?

In a recent protest in Agra, two Congress leaders were arrested for vandalizing Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar's residence. The incident, which involved spray-painting derogatory phrases, is part of a larger confrontation between the Congress party and the Election Commission over alleged biases in electoral processes. Protests have erupted across various districts, with Congress accusing the Election Commission of colluding with the ruling party. This escalating political tension raises questions about the integrity of electoral practices in India. Read on for a detailed account of the events and the reactions from various political figures.

By Narendra Chaudhary Sep 28, 2026, 22:55 IST

Congress Leaders Arrested for Defacing Election Commissioner's Property

Agra/Lucknow: On Monday, two leaders from the Congress party were taken into custody for allegedly vandalizing the wall and main entrance of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar's residence in Agra. The words "Gyanesh Gaddar, Gyanesh Chor" (Gyanesh traitor, Gyanesh thief) were spray-painted on the property, according to police reports.

The incident occurred during a protest organized by Congress workers outside Kumar's home in Vijay Nagar, where they chanted slogans and defaced the property, prompting police to file a First Information Report (FIR).

Agra's Assistant Commissioner of Police, Bajrang Prasad, confirmed that a case was registered at the Hari Parvat police station, leading to the arrest of Congress leader Mukesh Dhangar and general secretary Anil Yadav.

A large group of protesters, including Congress members and affiliated organizations, gathered in the morning, placing stickers and distributing pamphlets outside Kumar's residence.

The protesters used spray paint to inscribe the phrases "Gyanesh Gaddar Gyanesh Chor" on the main gate and wall of the house.

Footage of the protest and the vandalism quickly circulated on social media platforms.

The Indian Youth Congress posted on X, stating, "In Agra, Congress workers blackened with soot the house of 'Gaddar Gyanesh'. The collusion between Modi, Shah, and Gyanesh in manipulating elections across the country is a direct act of treason. We will ensure Gyanesh faces consequences."

ACP Prasad mentioned that authorities are actively searching for additional Congress leaders believed to be involved in the protest.

Similar protests, including the burning of Kumar's effigy and marches, took place in various districts such as Varanasi, Lucknow, Prayagraj, Ayodhya, Raebareli, Sultanpur, Sonbhadra, Sitapur, Unnao, Maharajganj, and Mathura as part of a statewide agitation by Congress.

In Lucknow's Tikunia Park, hundreds of Congress workers attempted to surround the Election Commission office at Janpath Market, as stated by UP Congress Committee's media department head Kunwar Singh Nishad.

However, they were stopped near the municipal corporation office, resulting in a confrontation with the heavy police presence.

Congress members then proceeded to burn an effigy of Gyanesh Kumar but were arrested and taken to Police Lines, later being released in the evening.

In Prayagraj, numerous Congress members, including MP Ujjwal Raman Singh and former MLA Anugrah Narayan Singh, participated in the protests.

Gyanesh Kumar, a 1988-batch Indian Administrative Service officer from the Kerala cadre, was appointed as election commissioner on March 15, 2024, after retiring from service on January 31, 2024.

He took office as the 26th Chief Election Commissioner on February 19 of the previous year.

The protests on Monday occurred amid escalating tensions between the Congress party and the Election Commission regarding the commission's operations, particularly the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

The Congress party has been staging protests in Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, and other regions, claiming that the Election Commission has favored the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has specifically criticized CEC Gyanesh Kumar, accusing him of unconstitutional actions and labeling them as "treason."

The protests have intensified following a report from The Indian Express, which revealed that two of the three election commissioners had raised objections on 14 occasions over 10 months regarding the commission's decisions, labeling certain changes in voter enrollment forms as "unauthorized/illegal."

In response to the report, opposition parties, including the Samajwadi Party, have increased their criticism of the Election Commission and the BJP.

On Sunday, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath condemned the Congress and its allies for their attacks on the Election Commission and the SIR process, accusing them of undermining democratic institutions for political gain and demanding an apology for their criticisms.