NEW DELHI: Thousands of protesters took to the streets of New Delhi on Monday to demand the resignation of India’s chief election commissioner over misconduct in a voter roll revision that has disproportionately affected minorities and could benefit Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ruling party.
Authorities deployed thousands of security personnel across the heavily fortified capital, closed six metro stations and imposed traffic restrictions as opposition parties and supporters of the youth-led Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) movement marched towards the Supreme Court.
#WATCH | Delhi: Visuals from the protest march by INDIA bloc MPs
The alliance has called a march to the Supreme Court today. They have also announced that they would file a petition before the apex court in connection with CEC Gyanesh Kumar matter and their allegations with respect to the SIR process.
(Visuals from outside Statesman House)
— ANI (@ANI) October 12, 2026
The protests have intensified in recent days, with demonstrators demanding an end to the revision exercise and the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
Opposition parties have accused the Election Commission of India of electoral malpractice.
The revision, which began last year, has resulted in about 130 million names being removed from electoral rolls, according to Election Commission data cited in media reports.
The commission has said voters whose names were wrongly removed can re-enrol. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has accused the opposition of undermining India’s democracy.
Opposition Challenges Voter Roll Revision
Opposition parties have alleged that the exercise disproportionately affects Muslim voters and other minorities, who are considered less likely to support the Hindu nationalist BJP.
The scale of the deletions has fuelled concerns among opposition parties and rights advocates about the potential impact on electoral participation in the world’s most populous country.
#BREAKING | 🇮🇳 — Thousands protest in New Delhi demanding resignation of India’s election chief https://t.co/wKz2nfsN7N
— The Global Eye (@TGEThGlobalEye) October 12, 2026
Critics argue that the revision could strengthen Modi’s political position by removing eligible voters from electoral lists. The BJP has denied wrongdoing.
The controversy intensified after the Indian Express newspaper reported last month that two deputies of Kumar had raised concerns about voter roll revisions, registration procedures and digital systems.
Rahul Gandhi Accuses Govt of Protecting Election Chief
The main opposition Congress party announced a march to the Supreme Court on Monday to submit a memorandum to the chief justice, demanding an end to “vote theft” and Kumar’s resignation.
“Youth, all opposition parties, civil society groups, all those who believe in democracy and stand by the Constitution of India, will walk with us,” Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said on X.
Tomorrow, 12th October, India marches peacefully as one to the Supreme Court. Students, civil society organisations, Opposition parties: Please join us to defend our democracy. #ChaloDilli https://t.co/0daRmwxOoX
— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) October 11, 2026
Gandhi also criticised the security measures in the capital, accusing the government of protecting the election commissioner.
“Delhi has been made into a fortress… there is police everywhere,” he said at a news conference. He added that people were being prevented from reaching Delhi.
Congress had sought a meeting with Chief Justice Surya Kant to discuss the issue. The chief justice declined the request in an email, saying Gandhi and the delegation should pursue the matter through legal proceedings because it was already before the court.
Thousands Detained During Weekend Protests
The demonstrations have also drawn attention to the police response. Local media reported that thousands of protesters, including organisers, were detained during a chaotic weekend of demonstrations in central Delhi.
Jam-packed Delhi. Protest against CEC/SIR led by INDIA Bloc leaders. https://t.co/7fTgOj91Fh
— Ashoke Raj (@Ashoke_Raj) October 12, 2026
Most of those detained have since been released, including three senior leaders of the CJP movement.
Opposition figures have accused the authorities of attempting to suppress dissent through mass detentions.
Parliamentarian John Brittas of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) alleged that police had “manhandled, dragged, assaulted” him during Sunday’s demonstrations.
“This is not merely an assault on an MP. It is an assault on democratic freedoms and the rule of law,” Brittas said.
Police did not respond to questions about the detentions or their conduct during a news conference on Sunday.
🔴A peaceful protest in New Delhi, India, has suddenly erupted into violent clashes between protesters and security forces. Tensions are escalating as the situation takes a dramatic turn. 🇮🇳 https://t.co/2XYf0XATUn
— International Relations (@Intl_Relations0) October 10, 2026
Several journalists covering the protests also reported being detained despite displaying their press identification cards.
Nitin Katiyar, a digital journalist, told The Times of India newspaper that a police official had punched him in the eye.
Media rights group Reporters Without Borders (RSF) said at least 16 journalists had been detained during the weekend protests and described the police action as “unacceptable”.
Rights advocates and government critics have accused Modi’s administration of eroding democratic freedoms during more than a decade in power, citing pressure on journalists, civil society groups and political opponents.
Youth Movement Plans Further Protests
The CJP, a youth-led movement with millions of social media followers, has emerged as a prominent force in the demonstrations. It has mobilised protests in recent months over issues including government school infrastructure and employment.
The movement has joined opposition parties, student groups and activists in challenging the voter roll revision, creating a broader political test for Modi and his BJP, which has been in power for more than a decade.
CJP leaders said they would meet Delhi Police to demand a date for a protest. The movement threatened to announce another protest if the authorities failed to provide a date within 24 hours.
The protests have continued despite the security clampdown, with demonstrators insisting that the voter roll revision be halted and Kumar step down.
