Congress Protests Against CEC Gyanesh Kumar Spread Across States, IYC Marches to Jantar Mantar

Congress Launches Protests Across States

Congress units organised demonstrations in several parts of India against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar over the handling of electoral-roll revisions.

The protests centred on the party's demand for Kumar's resignation and its objections to the ongoing Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. Demonstrations were reported in Delhi, Telangana, Bihar, Assam, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Srinagar and other locations.

Indian Youth Congress Marches to Jantar Mantar

In New Delhi, Indian Youth Congress president Uday Bhanu Chib led a march from the Congress office on Raisina Road towards Jantar Mantar.

Protesters raised slogans against Kumar and carried posters and banners demanding accountability from the Election Commission. Police detained several demonstrators during the protest.

The IYC also launched an online petition seeking Kumar's removal and calling for an investigation into alleged irregularities in the electoral process.

Protests in Telangana

In Hyderabad, Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee president Mahesh Kumar Goud led a march from the Indira Gandhi statue towards the Election Commission office.

Congress MP Kiran Kumar Chamala said the party planned to submit a complaint seeking Kumar's resignation and prosecution. He also raised the party's demand concerning the restoration of the 2025 voter list and alleged exclusion of voters during the SIR process. These claims represent the Congress's position and have not been established as independent findings.

Water Cannons Used in Patna and Chandigarh

Police used water cannons during protests in Patna and Chandigarh as demonstrators attempted to proceed towards election-related offices.

In Patna, Congress workers marched towards the poll panel's office and demanded Kumar's resignation. In Chandigarh, Punjab Congress leaders and workers also staged a demonstration, with police intervention reported.

Assam Congress Leaders Detained

In Assam, Congress state president and MP Gaurav Gogoi and other party leaders were detained while attempting to move past police barricades during the protest.

The Congress had planned a march towards the Chief Electoral Officer's office in Guwahati and intended to protest against Kumar's handling of electoral-roll revision.

West Bengal and Other States Join Protests

West Bengal Congress workers also participated in the nationwide agitation.

Led by state Congress chief Subhankar Sarkar, party workers marched from the Calcutta University area towards the Chief Electoral Officer's office in Kolkata. Police stopped the protesters at B B Ganguly Street, where they reportedly burnt an effigy of Kumar and demanded action against him.

Protests were also reported in Arunachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab and other states.

Why Is Congress Protesting Against the CEC?

The demonstrations follow reports that Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi had raised objections on multiple occasions concerning decisions linked to electoral-roll management during the SIR exercise.

The reported concerns included changes to Form 6, additions and deletions from electoral rolls, restoration of names and access to centralised electoral-roll databases. The Indian Express report cited by the protesters said objections had been raised at least 14 times over roughly 10 months.

Congress Raises Allegations Over Voter Rights

Congress has alleged that the SIR process could result in eligible voters being excluded from electoral rolls. Party leaders have particularly raised concerns about young voters and have demanded greater transparency regarding voter-list changes.

These allegations are disputed by the Election Commission and remain part of the ongoing political and institutional dispute.

Election Commission Defends Its Process

The Election Commission has said that differences of opinion and observations are a normal part of institutional deliberations.

The poll panel has maintained that its orders have legal sanction and follow established statutory procedures. It has also said that all three Election Commissioners are authorised to provide suggestions and that decisions of the Commission are taken collectively.

Congress Plans Further Political Action

The protests come ahead of the Congress Working Committee meeting scheduled for September 29.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has called the meeting to discuss the controversy and formulate a strategy concerning the removal of CEC Gyanesh Kumar. The INDIA bloc is also expected to discuss the issue after the CWC meeting.

Key Takeaways

• Congress protests against CEC Gyanesh Kumar were held across several states.

• The Indian Youth Congress marched from Raisina Road to Jantar Mantar in Delhi.

• Demonstrations were also reported in Telangana, Bihar, Assam, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal.

• Police used water cannons and detained protesters at some locations.

• Congress has demanded Kumar's resignation over concerns surrounding the SIR electoral-roll revision.

• The protests followed reports of objections raised by Election Commissioners Sukhbir Singh Sandhu and Vivek Joshi.

• The Election Commission has said differing views are part of normal institutional deliberations and that its decisions are taken collectively.

• Congress's CWC meeting on September 29 is expected to discuss its next course of action.